Chennai: Two hereditary priests have been replaced by new priests under the state government’s All Caste Priesthood Scheme. The action sparks anger among priests of Kumaravayalur Subramania Swami temple who were already serving the deities for decades.
One of the Pujari who has been fired from serving the god has said that the livelihood of the priests of the temple has been affected as govt of TN has appointed two new priests under all caste schemes.
The priest had suddenly become emotional and burst into tears. He was seen crying while requesting the god to do justice for his family at the same time.
“Oh Muruga, we and our families are standing in front of you without any livelihood. If you are existing, please take care of them. We five people and our families are here for 4 days believing justice from you. You are the answer”
Temple Priest
People mocked the tears of the priest
After the video of the priest goes viral on social media, many users have mocked the tears of the priest. The comments were filled with too much hate and curses. One of the users has said that “your tears will make laugh those you had oppressed”. “Die you fat Pumpin”, and “Shut up and go stand in the corner” were also written to laugh the tears of the priest.
Why priests are protesting
Karthik and Ramkumar were appointed by the Department of Hindu Religious Affairs under the present law that all castes can become priests. Subsequently, when they both entered the temple and tried to perform the rites the existing hereditary priests questioned the authorities.
Knowing this, the Hindu Front and the Bharatiya Janata Party gathered at the Vayalur temple. Knowing this, Jeeyapuram DSP Police led by Senthilkumar were mobilized. Selvaraj, Joint Commissioner, Hindu Charities, Mohanasundaram, Assistant Commissioner, Srirangam Inspector, Vayalur Executive Officer, and Secretaries of the nearby temples came and held talks with both parties. Then the two new priests went and were ordained in the shrine of Lord Murugan.
The priests who were already in this position did not go inside, but sat outside and do dharna.
One of the devotees has raised concerns over the appointments and asked in what way is it fair to say that the Department of Hindu Charities, which has now retained two people who came from somewhere, should not let in those who have been working for 12 years?
The question is, is there no legal remedy. Also all the other priests strike wor