THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state general secretary K Surendran told Kerala Kaumudi Flash that tantri has the right to close the temple if the rituals are violated. He was responding to the statement made by former Travancore devaswom board president Rajagopalan Nair that TDB can appoint a new tantri if tantri closes the temple.

"Not only in Sabarimala, in every temples, tantris have the complete authority for the temple. They have the final say in all the matters regarding rituals, customs and pooja-related matters. Thazhamon tantri family got their rights from Parashurama. It is passed on to generations from generations. If tantri stays as celibate, a new generation will not be formed", said K Surendran.

"There is a conspiracy behind the lookout notice issued by Kerala police. Several of the policemen were directly involved in the attack", alleged K Surendran.