Shirt Rule in Temples Sparks Debate, Kerala Minister Responds; Know More
No Decision on ‘Shirt-Removing Custom’ in Temples, Says Kerala Devaswom Minister
Kerala: The Kerala Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan clarified on Thursday that the Devaswom Board has not made any decision regarding the rule that male devotees must remove their shirts before entering temples.
He stated that temple customs and rituals are decided by the
tantris (temple priests) and temple committees, not by the Devaswom
Board.
The discussion started when Sivagiri Mutt president Swami
Satchidananda suggested that temples should stop this rule. Chief Minister
Pinarayi Vijayan supported his view, saying that customs should change with
time.
However, BJP & NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair strongly
opposed this and said that the government should not interfere in temple
traditions.
Vasavan explained that Swami Satchidananda, in his speech at
Sivagiri, spoke about the need to change certain old customs. The Swami
specifically said that Gurudeva temples should remove the rule about not
wearing shirts, as part of a larger effort to fight superstition. After his
speech, the Kumarakom Gurudeva Temple ended this practice.
The minister repeated that temple rules are controlled by tantris
and temple committees, not by the law. He also acknowledged that the Swami’s
statement had sparked debate across the state.
Also Read: Hindu Traditions Vs Kerala Govt; Shirtless Entry Row
Sabarimala Ropeway Project to Start Soon
Speaking about the Sabarimala ropeway project, Vasavan said
that steps are being taken to make it a reality. Discussions are in progress
with the Forest and Revenue departments.
“The project will take at least one-and-a-half years to complete,” he said. He also mentioned that the smooth management of the recent Sabarimala pilgrimage was due to proper planning, and preparations for the next pilgrimage will start even earlier
