Karnataka chief-minister Siddaramaiah has said that the State would soon follow the ‘Kerala’ model of appointing non-Brahmin priests (including Dalits) in temples across Karnataka.

The Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) recently created a revolution of sorts by implementing the Kerala Govt.’s reservation policy of 3% for Dalits and BCs while appointing temple priests. Out of the recent 62 priests appointed by the TDB, 36 are non-Brahmins with six of them hailing from the Dalit community.  Yadhukrishnan, a Dalit, has already commenced his duties as priest at a Mannappuram Temple.

Kerala’s move is being hailed by many States and politicians.  In the meantime, speaking to newsmen in Mysore, Karnataka chief-minister Siddaramaiah said that taking a cue from Kerala, Karnataka would also appoint Dalits as priests in temples across the State. “We don’t have any restrictions in appointing Dalit priests in temples under the control of the State Government,” he added. There are as many as 35,000 temples under the Government’s control.

Ironically enough, Tamil Nadu, which has seen many struggles and protests for social justice right from the days of Thanthai Periyar, hasn’t yet implemented equity in appointing Dalits as priests in the State. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s (VCK) Thol Thirumavalan met chief-minister Edapadi K. Palaniswami yesterday and requested him to initiate steps to appoint Dalits as priests in temples under the control of the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Board of the State Government.