It’s no more the domain of a particular community to become priests in the temples run by the Government. In one of the key measures to bridge the gap in society, the Karnataka Government has decided to appoint Dalits to the position of priests. This breaking the barrier decision has been taken after taking a cue from the Kerala Government which appointed Dalits as priests in Government managed temples recently. These archakas or priests are trained in Vedic schools and will be appointed soon.
According to Government sources, few Dalit students are getting training from Agama (vedic ) schools run by the State Government and would be appointed soon to temples managed by the Government.
A close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that the Chief Minister was keen in this transformation which brings about a change in society towards acceptance of Dalits.
The State Government runs around 38 Agama Shalas (schools) across Karnataka and candidates aged between 18 and 40 can enroll for the five-year Agama Shastra course. As per the course the candidates will have to clear the Pravara, Praveena and Vidhwath as part of the syllabus before they complete the course.
An official of the State Muzarai department said a batch of few candidates from the Dalit community have enrolled at the Agama schools which will certify them as temple priests. After they complete the course Government is expected to appoint them as priests in temples under state muzarai department.
In Mysuru Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he has no opposition to appoint Dalits as priests at Muzrai (Department of Religious and Charitable Endowments) temples in Karnataka as done in Kerala. He said “we will do it.”
According to official records there are 35,000 temples in the state under the department with over 1.2 lakh priests working in them. This move ahead of Assembly polls would be a major initiative by the ruling Congress Government captained by Siddaramaiah as the polls are crucial for the congress to keep its national identity.
According to Karnataka Muzrai Minister Rudrappa Lamani the decision of the Dharma Sansad which was held at Udupi recently to allow dalits into temple was a welcome change and his government would take it forward and appoint dalits as priests in the State run temples.
In a landmark step, 36 non-Brahmins, including six Dalits, were recently recommended for appointment in various temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board in Kerala. The Board manages at least 1,248 shrines including the famous Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. The CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala had termed the appointment as a ‘silent revolution’.