After months of intensive controversy and legal obstacles, the KS Anurag of Cherthaly was officially taken over as a Kazhakam worker in the Koodalmanikikyam temple, Irinjalakuda.
Anurag informed on Monday at Kooolmaninyam Devaswom, completed the formalities of the connection and submitted consent to the benefits of Devaswom GS Rajesh.
Mr. Anurag, who previously worked as an accountant in a private company, was selected for the Kerala Devaswom (KDRB) council after VA Balu resignation, a member of the Ezhava community, which was originally named. Mr. Anurag, who is also from the Ezhava community, received an order for appointment in April, but could not take up because of the temporary residence issued by the High Court in Kerala. After the court confirmed the authority of the KDRB to name itself, the Devaswom Committee convened a meeting and issued the Council, allowing Mr. Anurag to join.
Mr. Anurag said he was relieved to finally take over the accusation after overcoming several obstacles and hoping that there would be no other objections. He also expressed hope that he would receive support from all neighborhoods when he began his duty.
The appointment brought harsh resistance from members of the members of the families associated with the temple, which claimed that the Kazhakam contribution, responsible for the support of certain ritual duties, was traditionally hereditary and should not be filled with open recruitment.
The Minister of Higher Education and Social Justice R. Bindu appreciated the Devaswom Committee for facilitating the connection of Mr. Anurag and congratulations to his appointment. She said that the intervention of the High Court in support of the KDRB decision confirmed the constitutional principles of social justice and equality.
“The temple committee correctly conducted a framework of social justice approved by the judiciary by offering full support and protection to the candidate appointed through the Recruitment Council of the Devaswom,” the Minister said.
‘Letter unhappy’
Dr. He urged Binda to take the decision elegantly and without controversy, and added that the letter of the disagreement submitted by the Tantri Temple families to the Devaswom Committee was unfortunate.
“The ideas based on traditional temple professions are outdated and incompatible with modern democratic society. The effort to revive such outdated ideas is deplorable,” she said.
Published – 16 September 2025 20:45
