Reviewing Sabarimala Protests before 2024 Lok Sabha Poll

Revisiting Sabarimala Protest And Its Significance

As 2024 Lok Sabha polls come near, it's time to look back and review the Sabarimala Agitation and its impact on 2019 lok saba poll in Kerala. The protest holds key to understanding Kerala society and politics. No political party including the BJP has understood the relevance of Sabarimala protest

Sabarimaa Copper scrolls found faux by ASI

 

Copper scrolls touted by Kerala’s left-liberal and activist groups to prove that the Sabarimala temple in Kerala had actually non-hindu Dravidian traditions and backward communities in Kerala had major rights in the temple was proved fabricated by an expert team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Kerala media reported on January 17, 2022 that after detailed scrutiny, an expert team which looked into it subsequent to a Kerala court’s directive categorically stated that the copper scroll was faux. The copper scroll was widely publicised by the left liberal groups to prove that present traditions of Sabarimala temple were the result of a conspiracy of Hindu orthodox groups and the Pandalam royal family in a copper scroll given to a family of backward community had actually granted rights to them over the temple.

The copper scroll story was broadcast by a Malayalam television channel 24 news, during the Sabarimala agitation in 2018. The agitation was in protest against a move of Kerala’’s leftist government to violate certain traditions of the temple. The 24 news supported the government move through a story most probably fabricated with a malicious intent to create fissures among Hindus in Kerala in the name of caste. Later, when it was found that there was prima facie evidence about fabrication of the copper scroll, Sahin Antony, a reporter of the 24 news was ousted from the channel.

Sahin Antony got the copper scroll on Sabarimala from a Kochi-based conman Monson who used to trade in fake antiques and dupe the pubic. Monson was reported to be close to top officials of the Kerala Police and political leaders. Monson reportedly got it from a Thrissur based trader who used to supply fake antiques to movie makers for shooting films.

Famous Kerala historian M G Sasibhooshan had revealed to the media that the copper scroll was fabricated in 1960s by a group to produce as evidence in a court case. Those who filed the case had claimed before a Kerala court that Cheerappanchira family (an Ezhava family at Muhamma in Alappuzha district) to which CPM leader late Susheela Gopalan belonged) had rights in Sabarimala temple, which were granted by Pandalam Kings who are believed to be the paternal family of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala. 

However, the court had found the copper scroll was

fabricated and had dismissed the case. The same scroll was again used by leftists for their latest misinformation campaign against Sabarimala. Now Archaeological Survey has reiterated that the scroll is fabricated. Once again the conspiracy against Sabarimala temple has been exposed and stands defeated.

Vrishchikam month and Mandalam season Wishes; Let us be aware of the happenings in Kerala society

Today (November 16) is the beginning of the Malayalam month Virshchikam, when Mandala season, which marks the beginning of pilgrimage to Sabarimala begins. Once, it used to be the beginning of a holy season, when the atmosphere in Kerala would suddenly transform from mundane to spiritual. The sound of prayers and smell of incense would fill the air. People would wake up in the morning and light lamps in the prayer rooms in their homes; some would abstain from non vegetarian food as they begin observance for Sabarimala pilgrimage. However, this has started disappearing from Kerala slowly.

It isn’t simply the repeated floods and heavy rains that are changing the habits of the Hindus. The Sabarimala temple which is one of the most important temples in India has become a tinderbox since 2018. Huge police deployment and tension created in the area have distanced a section of pilgrims from the temple. Deliberate intervention and use of force by the left government in Sabarimala to implement a supreme court order allowing women of all ages entry in the temple and its fallout have destroyed the peaceful atmosphere in Sabarimala. There are reasons to believe that it was an organised attempt by certain groups to change Sabarimala, where Hindus of all castes and even believers from other religions were permitted entry for hundreds of years. 

Changing Sabarimala means transforming Kerala society as the temple has a huge influence on Kerala society. Hindus are blissfully unaware of such happenings and dismiss such conclusions as conspiracy theories. Let’s study our society and rituals and take cognizance of the attempts to change it. Let’s be informed. Information is the only weapon to defend us.

 

Demand for Non Brahmin Priests at Sabarimala: Reform or other motives?

 

Even three years after the mass protests that rocked Kerala following a move to allow entry to women of all ages in Sabarimala temple in Kerala where millions of Hindus visit annually, controversies about temple practises refuse to die down.

On November 12, SNDP Yogam (organisation of Ezhava community in Kerala) issued a statement protesting against the customs in the temple that only Kerala Brahmins (read Namboothiris) can become temple priests called Melsanthi and Tanthri in Malayalam. Mr. Natesan said despite a Supreme Court order that all Hindus who have learned temple worship rites have the right to become temple priests, the authorities were turning a blind eye towards the historic judgment. Mr. Natesan’s satatement came on November 12, which is temple entry anniversary day. It was on November 12, 1936 that Hindus of all castes were given rights to enter temples by the then Travancore King Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.

Interestingly though even Nairs are also ineligible to become temple priests as per the existing customs, the Nair Service Society aka NSS has never raised such demand. NSS leaders are mostly conformists wh support status quo and normally don’t oppose Brahmins. If Natesan’s demand is part of a social reform agenda, one need not oppose it.

However, Mr. Natesan is not his old self any more who was vociferous about Hindu unity in Kerala. In his present avatar, he has become a puppet of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Since Mr. Natesan has many cases in Kerala against him, he needs the goodwill of Mr. Vijayan. If Mr. Natesan’s demand to appoint Hindus of all castes as Sabarimala priest is genuine and aimed at reform it is all right. Now non Brahmin priests are there in a large number of temples under Travancore, Kochi and Malabar Devaswom Boards. However, if some others are pressurising him to create controversies and use the window of opportunity intervene in Sabarimala with ulterior motives one needs to be wary.

Sabarimala is a temple where all Hindus and non Hindus had been allowed entry even before temple entry proclamation. So Mr Natesan cherry picking Sabariamala on temple entry proclamation anniversary day to raise his demand for non-brahmin priest at temples raises doubts. Sabarimala is a byword of Hindu unity and unity of all South Indian states. Creating unnecessary controversies about Sabarimala is a communist conspiracy which can’t be allowed.

Nair priests to replace Brahmin priests at temples of Nair Service Society

One of the most interesting announcements made by Nair Service Society General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair at the 136th Mannam Jayanthi celebration concluded at NSS headquarters Changanasseri on Jan 3, 2013 was decision of the organization to promote Nairs as priests instead of Brahmin Priests at temples owned by NSS.

Addressing a mamoth gathering of Nairs at Nair Delegates’ Meet on the first day of the two-day celebration, Sukumaran Nair emphasised the need to promote learned Nairs as priests

The aim is to identify members of the community who possess ‘brahmanyam, Nair said and pointed out that exploitation exists in spiritual arena even now.

Leading English newspapers which quoted Nair said Nair pointed out that Sections of Brahmins who used to take advantage of the Nair community at various power centres are continuing the practice in spiritual arena and to stop this, those Nairs with tantric knowledge have to be made priests. NSS will start more Tantrik vidyapeets he asserted.

When the NSS started its first Thanthra Vidya Peethom, there was opposition from certain sections. However challenges were overcome and the first batch of candidates have passed out and are receiving wholehearted acceptance from Nair community, Sukumaran Nair said. However Nair clarified that his criticism is not against all Brahmins but only against those who claim to be Brahmin and lack knowledge of Vedas and other Hindu scriptures and pooja practices.

Sukumaran Nair’s announcement is timely and it is high time that Nairs appointed learned Hindus as priests in temples owned by them rather than looking for those who bear  Brahmin caste names. As Rigveda said “Janmana Jayathe Sudra, Karmanya Diwija Uchyathe,’. This can be roughly translated as everyone is born Sudra but attains Brahminhood by studies and culture.

One cannot forget the acts of former Sabarimala Tantri Kantaru Mohanaru who was banned from performing duties at Sabarimala following findings of Travancore Devaswom Board that he engaged in acts not expected from him. Once a learned three member inquiry commission which investigated into irregularities in Devaswom Board interviewed Mohanaru. Many newspapers had reported the answers given byMohanaru to commission. Mohanaru admitted before the commission that  he does not know Sanskrit, Veda mantras. He was unable   to tell the commission the birth star of Lord Ganapathi or recite  Bhagyasooktham even though he claimed he conducted Ganapathi Homam.  When this was the plight of a Sabarimala Tantri who claimed traditional right to the post, it is better Learned Nairs conducted pooja themselves.