In Kerala, the Devaswom Boards are under the control of the government. The Devaswom Board also receives financial assistance from the government. However, often the Devaswom Board takes arbitrary decisions on many matters, especially appointments, and acts contrary to the government's position. This has led to many controversies in the state. A majority of the employees of the Devaswom Board are from upper castes. Those from backward classes who were appointed as priests had to face many forms of discrimination in temples under the Devaswom Board.

Even though it is under the control of the government, the idea that only those born in a particular community have the right to worship God is still held by those working there holding high positions. Even three-quarters of a century after independence, there has been no significant change in these matters in the Devaswom Board. Common people are aware that they are doing many illegal things in the name of traditions. In the latest incident, the Board has taken a stand that it will not comply with the PSC-style reservation in the appointment of teachers and non-teaching staff in educational institutions under the Devaswom Boards. The board's counsel has informed the High Court that the government order is not applicable and the appointment is made as per the UGC regulation.

A detailed report written by our special correspondent TK Sunil Kumar in this regard was published as headline news on Tuesday. According to the affidavit filed by the Secretary of the Board in the High Court, the reservation policy of the government is not applicable as the appointments in schools do not come under the purview of the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board and only the UGC Regulation of 2018 is applicable in all the four colleges of the Board. When Justice AA Ziyad Rahman pointed out that the decision was taken in a meeting attended by Devaswom officials, the lawyer pointed out that the board is an autonomous body and the government order cannot be implemented without the board taking a decision.

Devaswom Secretary MG Rajamanikyam had directed the boards to implement the appointments with reservation under the rotation system followed by the PSC on February 29. It is commendable that Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan intervened in the matter and took a decision to stop the sabotage of reservations after the news came out stating that the Devaswom Board is trying to sabotage reservations in Devaswom appointments in the name of UGC. The minister has also warned that officials who try to sabotage reservation will face action. The Devaswom Board should immediately correct the mistake made in the court and make appointments with reservations.