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Minister warns of action against Guruvayur priests

Staff Reporter

Accuses priests of upholding caste and religious divides

ALAPPUZHA: Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran has said the State Government could initiate prosecution proceedings against the priests of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple for the recent purification rites performed at the temple after the entry of Union Minister Vayalar Ravi's son and grandson there.

Inaugurating the district-level celebrations of the Left Democratic Front Government's first anniversary here on Friday, Mr. Sudhakaran said if the Minister's son and grandson were registered as `Hindus at birth,' legal action was possible against the priests and `all those behind the purification rites.' The rites would then be in violation of the Temple Entry Proclamation. Such incidents were a disgrace to the State, he added.

The Minister warned officials and members of Devaswom Boards against misappropriation of funds. Citing reports of misuse of official vehicles by certain Devaswom Board members, Mr. Sudhakaran said the Government was initiating steps to do away with corruption in such bodies.

The Minister accused priests of trying to uphold caste and religious divides when the Government was trying to make do away with all sorts of discrimination.

Claiming that the V.S. Achuthanandan Government had taken several historic decisions in its first year itself, Mr. Sudhakaran said the Munnar demolition had sent a strong social message that money power would not rescue encroachers. The Government would focus on the performance of its employees and officials in the second year.

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