Rituals being practised in the name of religion have been found to be creating a divide among human beings, Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran has said.
Opening the district-level celebrations to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Temple Entry Proclamation at the Town Hall here on Saturday, Mr. Saseendran observed that believers were seemingly united in upholding their right to worship, and that all of them had the freedom to visit temples.
“Those who speak in the name of God should also be conscious of the will of God,” said Mr. Saseendran, adding that society needed only those rituals that fostered humanity.
Coming down heavily on those who frown at the celebration of the Temple Entry Proclamation, the Minister said such individuals should first see whether the State had the same social scenario that prevailed two years ago. The government decided to go ahead with the celebrations as it is the ripe time to remember a historic agitation that put Kerala on the path of progress, he added.
At a session on ‘Darkness to Light’, writer and social critic K.T. Kunhikannan observed that the current discussions on rituals were on the wrong track.
C.K. Nanu, MLA, chaired the event. District Panchayat President Babu Parassery, MLAs Purushan Kadalundi and V.K.C. Mammad Koya were present. An exhibition showcasing around 150 historic documents and pictures was also opened.
