Breaking the tradition which has been in force in society for more than thousand years, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TRB) in Kerala has created a kind of ‘social revolution’ by appointing 36 non-Brahmins (including six Dalits) as temple priests in temples managed by the Board.

TRB’s decision can only be termed as ‘revolutionary’ in the present scenario prevailing in society not only in Kerala but across the country as well.  The TRB, an autonomous body under the Hindu Religious & Endowment Department of the Govt. of Kerala, manages the affairs of as many as 1248 temples.  There had been a long-pending demand to appoint non-Brahmins as priests in temples managed by the Board.

After conducting written examination and then screening the candidates through interview, the Board has appointed 36 non-Brahmin priests belonging to various castes.  Among them, six are Dalits; these priests would be working either as full time priests or as part-time priests and have been appointed to ‘work’ in respective temples.

It may be recalled that it was Tamil Nadu which first raised the question of appointing non-Brahmins as priests in temples.  In fact, the erstwhile DMK regime in the State even arranged for ‘training’ as priests for members belonging to communities other than Brahmins.  However, the appointment of non-Brahmins as priests has still not been done in the State while Kerala has taken a lead and showed the way!