Ministers normally keep away from controversies. But sometimes quite unexpectedly, they involve in controversies. This time a minister went to the aid of one of India’s greatest singers – Dr. K.J. Yesudas, supporting his longing for praying in Guruvayoor temple.
None other than Kerala minister for Devaswom G. Sudhakaran has made a controversy on a sensitive issue. He wrote a letter to Guruvayoor Devaswom board to allow the well-known singer K.J. Yesudas in Guruvayoor temple. He is an ardent devotee of lord Guruvayoorappan and sung many devotional songs on lord Krishna. He has a long cherished dream to see Krishna idol and pray inside the temple where Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter. Being a Christian, he can’t enter as per the decade’s long tradition.
Minister decreed that Yesudas could enter the temple to fulfill his wish. Some cultural leaders like Sukumar Azheekode, musician Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri has supported minister’s suggestion. But N.S.S leader P. K. Narayana Panikker asks why a minister should involve in such controversies? Also, according to Samoothiri Raja, minister has no right to say what he said.
According to Azheekode, not only Yesudas but all other devotees (non-hindus) should get entry in the temple. Everyone knows that Yesudas is a Krishna devotee. But giving him temple entry will lead to many problems according to some conventional Hindu leaders and temple authorities.
Devaswom chairman Thottathil Ravindran stated that they will discuss the issue with administrative committee. While the discussions are going on, the minister clarified his stand and wrote another letter to Devaswom asking to have a detailed discussion with Hindu leaders on the issue. He clarified that no decision is needed to be taken in haste. But the second letter requested to give entry to all believers to the temple irrespective of their religion.
What does all this mean? A responsible minister could have avoided such controversies. Actually a minister has no role to rule in the age-old temples and its disciplines. His idea may be good or bad but as always, Kerala minister for Devaswom has landed into controversial territories. He must have left it to temple authorities and chords.
