Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran has lambasted Sabarimala temple tantris saying they are not as ‘‘dignified as the hardworking donkeys’’ of the shrine.
Inaugurating a meeting in connection with the 125th anniversary of ‘Villuvandi Yatra’ organised by the Akhila Kerala Cheramar Hindu Mahasabha here on Sunday, he said: “At Sabarimala, donkeys do the hard work by carrying goods from the base camp to the hill shrine. But they have not gone on any protest,” the Minister said.
Mr. Sudhakaran said the tantris did not have any attachment towards Lord Ayyappa. The people should understand the politics behind making Sabarimala a protest venue, he said.
Remarks condemned
Special Correspondent writes from Pathanamthitta: Former president of Kerala Yogakshema Sabha and patron of the Aluva Tantra Vidya Peedhom Akkeeramon Kalidasan Bhattathirippad has condemned the reported abusive remarks made by Mr. Sudhakaran.
In a statement here on Sunday, Mr. Bhattathirippad alleged that the Minister’s derogatory remarks were very much part of his discriminatory attitude towards the Hindu society.
He alleged that Mr. Sudhakaran’s statement was not at all befitting the dignified position of a Minister.
Mr. Bhattathirippad said the Minister’s remarks was a testimony to his intolerance towards the Hindu places of worship. The tantris would move a court against the Minister’s defamatory remarks, he said.