Koodalmanikyam temple staff resigns amid caste discrimination row

Thrissur: A 'kazhakam' employee of the famed Koodalmanikyam temple in Thrissur has resigned, citing personal reasons, following allegations of caste discrimination.

Balu, who was recruited for 'kazhakam' duties by the state-run Devaswom Recruitment Board, submitted his resignation to the Devaswom administrator on Tuesday evening, sources said on Wednesday.

'Kazhakam' refers to a designated group within the temple hierarchy tasked with preparing garlands and performing other ceremonial chores.

The resignation of the Ezhava community man from the temple job has once again brought to the fore the issue of alleged caste discrimination existing in the state, especially in temples.

Reacting to the development, Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan said Balu was recruited in accordance with all prescribed rules and norms.

"The government wants him to continue in the recruited post. We have already informed Balu that the government will provide him necessary support. But he tendered his resignation on Tuesday," he told the media in Madurai.

According to the minister, Balu has expressed his willingness to continue if he is shifted to a clerical post from the 'kazhakam" duties.

In the resignation letter, the employee, who was on leave following the controversies, cited personal and health reasons to quit the job.

The minister also assured that whenever Balu wants to come back and join the kazhakam post, the government would ensure him an opportunity.

A Devaswom Recruitment Board official clarified that the resignation was a personal decision taken by the individual, and the board had nothing to do with it.

K B Mohandas, Chairman, Devaswom Recruitment Board, slammed the stand adopted by the temple 'tantries' on the issue and said it was not befitting of a civilised society.

The Board had appointed B.A. Balu, a native of Aryanad, Thiruvananthapuram, to the position of Kazhakam staff on February 24. However, following objections from the Tantris and the Nair Service Society (NSS), Balu was reassigned from the Kazhakam staff position to an office role. The Tantris had even submitted a formal letter requesting his removal from the Kazhakam post.

However, the state government had objected to this and made it clear that the person from the backward community, appointed according to the existing acts and regulations, must be allowed to work at the temple.

As per government sources, the temple has two 'Kazhakam' positions—one appointed by the 'tantris' and the other filled in accordance with the Acts and Regulations.

Following his resignation, the next person on the list will be appointed. Balu had secured the first rank in the examination conducted by the Devaswom Recruitment Board.

(inputs from PTI)