KOCHI: Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board's controversial notification to hire a Brahmin cook at the Guruvayur temple and Brahmin priests at the Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam Temple has been stalled for the time being.

The Recruitment Board decided to revoke the notification after complaints popped up alleging the board of quashing the SC directive to not consider caste in Devaswom appointments. The complainants also decided to approach the government to seek clarification in this regard. Koodalmanikyam Devaswom Governing Body member A.V. Shine is also a complainant

Both the controversial notifications came out on October 11. The Brahmin cook job advertised had a pay scale between Rs 23,000-50,200. Only the Namboothiri belonging to Kurumbranad lineage were eligible to apply for all three priestly jobs that offered a pay between Rs 13,190 - 20,530 in the Koodalmanikyam temple. If not found any Kurumbranad lineage priests, the Namboothiris of Irinjalakuda, Shukapuram and Peruvanam villages will also be considered.

The Recruitment Board is in charge of Thiruvithamkur, Kochi, Malabar, Guruvayur and Koodalmanikyam Devaswom recruitments. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy decided to form the Recruitment Board in high hopes of ending the rampant caste discrimination in Devaswom appointments. According to the rules, the board cannot make appointments based on caste. A special meeting of Koodalmanikyam Tantris decided the eligibility of Keezh Santhi.

However, the recruitment board reasoned that there was an amendment made in both Guruvayur and Koodamanikyam Devaswom which allowed the appointment of Brahmin priests and cooks.

On October 3, 2002, the Supreme Court ruled that caste-based appointments in Devaswom boards were unconstitutional.