The Kerala Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Commission (KSCSTC) has issued a notice to the Tantri of the Sabarimala temple to show cause why his decision to ritually cleanse the shrine following the entry of two women , one of them a Dalit, early on January 2 should not be construed as a brazen practice of untouchability outlawed by Article 17 of the Constitution.
KSCSTC member S. Ajaykumar told The Hindu he had summoned the priest for a hearing on January 17. However, the Tantri did not appear before the forum. Hence, Mr Ajayakumar said he was constrained by law to issue the Tantri a show cause notice.
In his Facebook post, Mr Ajaykumar said the conduct of the Tantri flew in the face of the Constitutional provision that outlawed the practice of untouchability. He said no priest was above the Constitution.
The Commission has the powers of a civil court to try suits or inquire into specific complaints regarding the deprivation of rights and rejection of Constitutionally guaranteed safeguards for SC/ST communities. It could enforce the attendance of any person and examine him under oath and also requisition any public record.
KSCTC chairperson B. S. Maoji confirmed that the Commission had received specific complaints regarding the controversial purification ritual at the temple. He said the complaint was not from the woman pilgrim but other quarters stung by the Tantri's s action. The chairperson said the Commission viewed the incident seriously.
The entry of two women into Sabarimala temple in the early hours of January 2 and the subsequent closure of the temple by the Tantri for purification rituals had set off a ripple of political violence that went on unabated across Kerala till January 4.
It has also triggered an acrimonious war of words between the Government and organisations opposed to the entry of women under 50 years of age to the temple over religious tradition and the rule of law.
