Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Priestly opportunity

This refers to the editorial "Equality of priestly opportunity," (May 19) on the Tamil Nadu Government's decision to allow all persons irrespective of caste to work as temple priests. The secular DMK Government passing an order on matters concerning temples is unacceptable. Secularism in strict terms implies that the state should have nothing to do with religious matters. In any case, the move is unlikely to achieve anything new as many temples already have priests belonging to non-Brahmin communities. As for establishing a recognised institute for training archakas in agamas, who is to decide on what is the correct agama for a particular temple? The agamas of temples differ. It is ironical that dynastic politics gets democratic sanction in our country but hereditary priesthood is not acceptable.

S. Sundararaman,
Bangalore

* * *

It is strange that people who have no belief in religion decide who should be archakas in temples, attributing the decision to the wishes of Periyar E.V. Ramaswami Naicker. Does the Government propose to fulfil all the wishes of Periyar? Will the rationalist Government also interfere in the administration of mosques and churches? Can the present action be termed secular?

V. Krishnan,
Chennai

* * *

Going by the past, the move gives rise to the suspicion that it is yet another attempt to buttress the Government's position vis-à-vis Hindu religious affairs. The order has been issued to fulfil the dreams of a much-acclaimed atheist, who thundered that one who believes in god is a fool. Does the Government want to widen the range of fools? The Hindu took a different position when a place of worship was demolished under the orders of court recently. The pillars of our democracy, including the fourth estate, seem to invoke the supremacy of the law and the Constitution only when it comes to the affairs of Hindu religion.

N. Mahadevan,
Secunderabad

* * *

There can be no question that any learned Hindu should be given the opportunity to perform poojas in temples. But what is the reason behind the move? The political groups that hail it do not even believe in god. Any change should take place on its own and not be thrust upon the people. Forcing ideas on the people will achieve nothing — a fact proved by the anti-Hindi agitation. The DMK rode to power on the issue but after 40 years, a majority of the Tamil Nadu population not only watches Hindi movies but is also learning the language.

R. Padma,
Bangalore

* * *

While the order is welcome, it also raises some concerns. In a State where successive governments and society as a whole have failed to ensure that panchayat election verdicts in Pappapatti and Keeripatti are given effect to, and where temple car festivals are called off in the eleventh hour because of caste tensions, is it possible for Dalit archakas appointed in village temples to function? Will it be a surprise if people from other communities boycott the activities of the temple? I am sure the political class that has welcomed the order on archakas will keep silent due to vote bank considerations.

Raman Narayanan,
Singapore

* * *

In the absence of a training institute and relevant books in Tamil on agama sastras/Vedas and other daily rituals followed in temples over centuries, no clear norms can be established. It is not clear whether the Government is serious about removal of casteism or is only indulging in Brahmin baiting. The Government should think of starting a religious institute to impart training in Hindu, Christian, and Muslim scriptures. It should introduce a service from which trained priests can be appointed to places of worship.

L. Rangarajan,
Vadodara, Gujarat

* * *

There is nothing wrong in appointing persons from other castes as priests, provided they are qualified. Of the 12 Azhwars, except Madhurakavi, Vishnusithhar (Periazhwar), Andal, and Vipranarayana (Thondaradipodi), others were non-Brahmins. Of the 63 Nayanmars, only 10 were Brahmins. All major temples were built by non-Brahmin kings and many are maintained to this day by non-Brahmin communities. When Brahmins can exercise a wide range of career options — from defence to software engineering in foreign countries (which is incidentally against the Vedagamam) — why should other communities not serve god?

V. Venkataraman,
Chennai

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