Koodalmanikyam temple: Chief priest says issue at Koodalmanikyam temple a campaign to create division in society | Kochi News

Kochi: The tanthri community alleged that the caste discrimination issue at Koodalmanikya temple at Irinjalakuda was a vile campaign to create division in society.
Tanthri member of the Koodalmanikya temple devaswom executive samithi, Nedumbally Tharananelloor Govindan Nampoothiripad, said the appointment of a kazhakam staff on Feb 24, 2025, was an illegal act by the temple administration and the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board. This act violated the laws passed by the Kerala assembly and the devaswom rules of the Kerala govt.
He stated that the temple tanthris and devotees opposed this move by the temple management committee, which violated the legal system of employment in the temple and dismissed a person who worked as kazhakam staff for five years without even giving him a notice period.
“Instead of correcting the mistake, they are spreading false propaganda to create division in society. It is condemnable that a section of people who fear Hindu unification are misusing temples for their political survival,” he said.
Nampoothiripad alleged that some people were deliberately spreading the news through the media that the tanthris are opposed to the person appointed in the Koodalmanikyam temple because he belonged to a certain caste. “This is not true. In Koodalmanikyam temple, all the rituals, including tanthra and shanthi, have been traditionally practised by some families. This is clearly stated in the devaswom rules. This is related to the legend of the temple. The Supreme Court and the Kerala high court have often given judgments protecting this right, he said.
“Many Hindu communities are working together to run the temple affairs. There is no caste discrimination here. This unity is evident to everyone who looks at our temple with faith, without any other vested interests. Unfortunately, what is happening in the administrative committee is a tug-of-war to eliminate the rights of the traditional families and to appoint new persons.
“An initial consultation meeting of the heirs and devotees of the Koodalmanikyam temple was held on Sunday at Irinjalakuda, and it was unanimously decided to take legal action and disseminate ideas, keeping in mind the freedom of worship and the protection of rituals.”
Certain vested interests are conducting a vile campaign to create the impression of caste discrimination at the Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikya temple. This campaign violates the laws passed by the Kerala assembly and the devaswom rules of the Kerala govt.
Kochi: The tanthri community alleged that the caste discrimination issue at Koodalmanikya temple at Irinjalakuda was a vile campaign to create division in society.
Tanthri member of the Koodalmanikya temple devaswom executive samithi, Nedumbally Tharananelloor Govindan Nampoothiripad, said the appointment of a kazhakam staff on Feb 24, 2025, was an illegal act by the temple administration and the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board. This act violated the laws passed by the Kerala assembly and the devaswom rules of the Kerala govt.
He stated that the temple tanthris and devotees opposed this move by the temple management committee, which violated the legal system of employment in the temple and dismissed a person who worked as kazhakam staff for five years without even giving him a notice period.
“Instead of correcting the mistake, they are spreading false propaganda to create division in society. It is condemnable that a section of people who fear Hindu unification are misusing temples for their political survival,” he said.
Nampoothiripad alleged that some people were deliberately spreading the news through the media that the tanthris are opposed to the person appointed in the Koodalmanikyam temple because he belonged to a certain caste. “This is not true. In Koodalmanikyam temple, all the rituals, including tanthra and shanthi, have been traditionally practised by some families. This is clearly stated in the devaswom rules. This is related to the legend of the temple. The Supreme Court and the Kerala high court have often given judgments protecting this right, he said.
“Many Hindu communities are working together to run the temple affairs. There is no caste discrimination here. This unity is evident to everyone who looks at our temple with faith, without any other vested interests. Unfortunately, what is happening in the administrative committee is a tug-of-war to eliminate the rights of the traditional families and to appoint new persons.
“An initial consultation meeting of the heirs and devotees of the Koodalmanikyam temple was held on Sunday at Irinjalakuda, and it was unanimously decided to take legal action and disseminate ideas, keeping in mind the freedom of worship and the protection of rituals.”
Certain vested interests are conducting a vile campaign to create the impression of caste discrimination at the Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikya temple. This campaign violates the laws passed by the Kerala assembly and the devaswom rules of the Kerala govt.