Thiruvananthapuram | The TDB has no particular objection to Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru's request to appoint his son as the next chief priest from the Malayalam month of Chingam, but will act on it only after obtaining the Kerala High Court's concurrence, Board President K Jayakumar said on Tuesday.
Jayakumar said the Travancore Devaswom Board had not taken any final decision on the request as related cases were pending before the High Court.
"The only issue that came before the Board was a letter stating that it is the turn of a new Tantri during the Malayalam month of Chingam. However, the person concerned is unable to take up the post due to health issues. Therefore, he has requested that the right be given to his son," he told reporters here.
"The Board has no particular difficulty in accepting that request. However, since there are other related cases pending, it was decided that a decision on the request should be taken only after obtaining the concurrence of the High Court. Beyond that, there was no other discussion or decision on the matter," he said, reacting to a query.
Jayakumar said it would not be appropriate to comment further as the issue was under the consideration of the High Court.
"Since the issue is also under the consideration of the court, it is not appropriate for me to comment further. The Board has no specific objection. We only felt that the High Court's concurrence should be obtained. A Special Commissioner has been appointed by the High Court, and the matter will be decided at the appropriate time," he said.
Rajeevaru, the hereditary Tantri of the Sabarimala temple from the Thazhamon Madom family, has sought permission for his son, Brahmadattan, who has been assisting him in temple rituals, to take over the tantric duties as he is unable to continue due to health reasons.
Jayakumar's remarks came amid a controversy triggered by BJP state vice-president K S Radhakrishnan, who called for the removal of the Thazhamon family from the hereditary post of Tantri, arguing that the TDB was under no obligation to appoint a person recommended by those facing criminal proceedings solely on the basis of hereditary succession, referring to the gold loss controversy surrounding the hill shrine.
The BJP on Monday distanced itself from Radhakrishnan's remarks, saying the issue of who should perform the tantric duties at the Sabarimala temple was not a political matter and that any comments made by party leaders reflected only their personal views.
