THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister V S Sunil Kumar came down heavily on the head priest (tantri) for closing the temple and performing purification rituals after two women offered prayers at the hill shrine. Who gave him the right to do so? The tantri, who is not ready to accept the Supreme Court verdict should be ousted from the post at the earliest. The cabinet on the whole is of the same opinion. The head priest is challenging the constitution. The cabinet will soon take a decision on it, he said.

Closing the sanctum sanctorum and performing purification rituals after two women identified as Bindu and Kanakadurga prayed at the holy shrine had led to many discussions. What the tantri did was violation of the apex court verdict and some advocates opined to file case in the Supreme Court. However, the apex court declined for an urgent hearing on it. Meantime, the devaswom board has informed to seek an explanation from the tantri for his action without discussing with the board. Most probably serious action will not be taken against the head priest and will end with an explanation.