THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister K Radhakrishnan responds to Yoga Kshema Sabha and Tantri Samaj in the untouchability controversy. If the priest should not touch anyone till the end of Devpuja, why did he come out, the minister asked. Shouldn't a Suddhikalasam be performed in the whole place in that case? He added that this was not the first time he was going to a temple and the event was held outside the temple instead of inside.

'As they speak their case, I also have the right to speak. There will be those who say that the practice of untouchability is necessary. I reserve the right to disagree and that is democracy. If someone gives money to the priest, he will not take them inside. So money does not have untouchability but human does. This is what I tried to talk about. One cannot agree to any method that commands untouchability among humans. That is why it was pointed out on that stage. Those who had to discuss it could have done so then.

The priest comes to the crowd outside the temple to light the lamp. Doesn't the priest touch people then?

Attacks on Dalits are increasing in the country. Such a trend will increase here too if the state does not point out its response. We must be able to work beyond caste and religious thinking. There is no harm in commenting on the issue months later. I read two news on the morning of the speech. It was the news of Dalit attacks. I just told my own experience in the program that was held after that. I had responded about the issue at a venue in Kannur but it was not discussed that day.'