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The Yoga Kshema Sabha, the community outfit of the Kerala Brahmins, has taken exception to NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair's statement that exploitation from higher castes still existed in the name of spirituality.
Yoga Kshema Sabha president Akkeeramon Kalidasan Bhattathiripad in a statement asked the NSS chief to come out with proof that Brahmins had exploited other sections.
Nair, while speaking at the first day of the 136th Jayanthi celebrations of NSS founder Mannath Padmanabhan yesterday at Perunna near Kottayam, had said exploitation still existed in the name of spirituality and Nair priests would have to be appointed as priests in temples owned by the NSS.
The challenges faced by the NSS when it started 'Thantra Vidya Peethom' to train priests had been overcome and the first batch of candidates had come out successfully, he had said at the function.
Raising objections to the accusation against Brahmins, Bhattathiripad said he wanted to know whether the 'exploitation theory' was the personal opinion of the NSS chief or that of the community as a whole.
"The Yoga Kshema Sabha does not have any objection to members of Nair community performing pujas and rituals in temples owned by them. But blaming the Brahmins by the NSS leader was unwarranted," he said.
Meanwhile, pro-RSS Hindu Aikya Vedi supported the call for trained persons from non-Brahmin communities being made temple priests.
The Aikyavedi state general secretary Kummanam Rajesekharan said that priesthood should not be determined by caste. This had been approved by the Kerala High Court and Supreme Court in various judgements.
"Sound knowledge and proper training to conduct the rituals should be the criteria to become a priest and not the caste.
The NSS calling for Nair priests should also welcome other sections into their temples," he said.
Casete system has done huge damage to India historically. Due to this caste system only outside plunders have killed and destroyed our culture for centuries. The caste system made us weak socially and militarily - can you imagine how difficult would be to defeat an army consisting of soldiers from various castes where higher caste soldiers don't eat, train and even fight together. Once Hindu religion flourished in major part of the Asia and today we are struggling to remain in majority in our own home land. Our people are converting to other religions slowly. Why would they not do it with the current caste system? My views, if Hindus want to survive let flourish in future, this caste system has to be erased. This movement is a step in the right direction. I hope it will be emulated in other parts of India as well soon. If existing temple owners/priests do not want to follow this, create new temples where priesthood is given based on Merit, not caste. Thank you
Casete system has done huge damage to India historically. Due to this caste system only outside plunders have killed and destroyed our culture for centuries. The caste system made us weak socially and militarily - can you imagine how difficult would be to defeat an army consisting of soldiers from various castes where higher caste soldiers don't eat, train and even fight together. Once Hindu religion flourished in major part of the Asia and today we are struggling to remain in majority in our own home land. Our people are converting to other religions slowly. Why would they not do it with the current caste system? My views, if Hindus want to survive let flourish in future, this caste system has to be erased. This movement is a step in the right direction. I hope it will be emulated in other parts of India as well soon. If existing temple owners/priests do not want to follow this, create new temples where priesthood is given based on Merit, not caste. Thank you
In the name of being progressive, this is breaking hinduism. The whole concept of brahmin oppression is a big bogus theory started to justify few peoples agenda. No one respects or bothers to provide basic level of compensation for existing brahmins who are suffering but want to build training schools to get others trained. All in the name of being progressive. All these progressive folks should try teaching progressive stuff to muslims and christian missionaries out there looking to convert everyone. But that would mean dealing with difficult people who unlike Brahmins who will not keep quite. The politicians will not keep quite because they need votes. There is no dharma here. Slowly india will become like pakistan. then everyone can talk about progressiveness.
On this NSS report I had submitted my comments about seven hours back with reference of decade old Supreme Court judgement on this point.But you have not given on the site so far.Your prerogative.But SC verdict is clear.Give that at least.
It is natural that when you break the traditions there is bound to be discontentment among people. It appears to be reasonable that if you acquire sufficient training and have sincere approach towards the task at hand you can be considered to be fit for the task. Nevertheless, it is the duty of the people at large to take into confidence the sentiments of the people who are affected by the decision. Please note that some of the more progressive religions adopt an unbiased approach in this regard. But it is not necessarily binding for other religions to follow suit.
The remarks made by Mr. Sukumaran Nair about the Brahmin community was below the standard expected of the General Secretary of a prestigious organization such as N S S. Throughout the history of N S S, it played a balancing role in keeping the harmony and mutual respect among various Hindu communities. Derogatory remarks against the entire Brahmin community tantamount to racism.He could have avoided offensive language. He should withdraw the statement and make a public apology. A proud Nair
as the statement given by nss i am welcoming the decision of nss and i expect that nairs may change the systam and maintain intercast marriages for maintaning secularism
We need priest selection based on knowledge not cast. Hindus should start a training center open to all Hindus. The meritorious one from there be selected.
This is a welcome step Even in older times your caste was decided by your deeds and not by your birth. The caste system and differentiation based on language, religion and country/ place of birth are not relevant in todays world Humanism in the biggest religion and all mankind should have the same rights and freedom Such a day is not far away The NSS move is another step in this direction
The tellings of "Potuluri Virabrahmendra Swami" are getting true, Bhramin's will roam on roads like a mental people and sudhra's will hold the books and conduct rituals. Do not follow what courts says, the court says on the materialistic evidences and are good for current society and our religion is a spiritual. Think in a spiritual way and decide.
The issue was settled a decade ago by the Supreme Court of India in the ase relating to appointment of non-Brahmin priests in Kongoopilly Neerikode Sive Temple at Alangad village in Ernakulam,Kerala.The bench of JJ.S.Rajendra Babu and Doraiswamy Raju had held:"As long as anyone well-versed and properly trained and qualified to perform the puja in a manner conducive and appropriate to the worship of the particular deity, is appointed as santhikaran(pujari)...,no valid or legally justifiable grievance can be made.."Then too some people had objected to the appointment of non-Brahmins as pujari who were specifically trained for the job by the TTDT and Vishwa Hindu Parishad.But it was opposed by some 'progressive' leftists.
constition had not said anything against brahmins or any other castes some political leaders in the society after independence they created differences between the people in caste base. I suggest nair community it is very good decision for secularism nair community will fight against caste base marriges and start intercast marrieges also for strong secularism
It is welcome step if non brahmins are interested to get trained and work as priests in temples. In fact , most ofthe brahmin youth allover country are not preferring to work as priests. I wish non-brahmin youth take up the responsibility of priest in temples. Let them know then, poor economic conditions of priests. Most of the brahmin priests are sticking to their jobs only because of spiritual attachment they are having with temples and rituals. Stop hatred campaign immediately
AS AN INTERMEDIARY TO GET BLESSINGS. BARGAINING GOES ON FOR MORE 'SALARY', MORE ALLOWANCES AND FACILITIES AND THE COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO PROVIDE EVEN AT THE COST OF EACH DEVOTEE'S WALLET. THE YOUNGER GENERATION BRAHMIN PRIESTS NOW PROVE THAT THEY KNOW NOTHING OF A POOJAH AND HARDLY UNDERSTAND SANSKRIT, HARDLY KNOW GANESH MANTRAMS; BUT SIMPLE LIGHT UP IN THE SANCTUM SANCTUREM. THIS HAS FORCED THE COMMUNITY TO GO FOR A 'TANTRIC' TEACHING INSTITUTION, IN WHICH NAIR MEN ARE PUT FOR TRAINING FIRST BATCH OF WHOM CAME OUT TO BE DEPLOYED. APART FROM THE NAIR CONTROLLED TEMPLES, THE STATE DEWASWOM BOARD, WHICH CONTROLS THE BIGGER TEMPLES SUCH AS GURUVAYUR SRI KRISHNA TEMPLE, SABARIMALA AYYAPPA TEMPLE, CHETTIKULANGARA BHAGAVATHY TEMPLE, CHENGANNUR, KURATTI, ETTUMANOOR, KANDIYOOR (TO NAME A FEW) MAHADEVA TEMPLES AND OTHER THOUSANDS OF TEMPLES, HAVE NO OBJECTION TO RELIEVE THESE CHEATING PRIESTS FROM THIS RESPONSIBILITY WHICH HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY THE KERALA HIGH COURT TOO. THE SKY IS CLEAR NOW.
basing on the nss it is very good decision at the same time the society will show the lively hood to the brahmins in the state brahmins also will enter into the all fields in the society as per the constitution each and everybady having right todo anybusiness in the soviety. nair community will give chance to all the castes for doing business. i kindly request to the society that nationalise the business activities as per the socialism.
Hindu community should be declared as a casteless society collectively by the top priests.
KERALA IS A PLACE OF TEMPLES. ALMOST EACH VILLAGE HAS MORE THAN ONE OR TWO TEMPLES, DIETY MOSTLY, LORD SIVA, KRISHNA, VISHNU, DEVI, HANUMAN, AYYAPPA AND OFCOURSE GANESH AT EVERY TEMPLES. THE NAIR COMMUNITY HAS OVER 1200 TEMPLES DIRECTLY UNDER ITS ORGANIZATIONAL CONTROL (NSS - NAIR SERVICE SOCIETY). PRIESTS HITHERTO ARE NORMALLY FROM BRAHMIN COMMUNITY. KERALA WITNESS A VERY TRAGIC SCENE OF UNTOUCHABLE SYSTEM AND SUPERSTITIOUS STYLES INTRODUCED BY THESE BRAHMIN PRIESTS SINCE LONG AND THEIR UNPROFESSIONAL GENERATION STILL, AT THE COST OF NAIR COMMUNITY. THEY CONTINUE TO WIN WITH THIS SYSTEM VERY SUCCESSFULLY AS NAIRS STILL TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT AND VALUE. MANY BRAHMIN HOUSES CONTINUE TO SURVIVE AT THE MERCY OF NAIR COMMUNITY AS THE TIPS GIVEN BY EACH DEVOTEE VISITING THE TEMPLE EVERY DAY, FOR THE SO CALLED INTERMEDIARY PRAYERS TO THE LORD ON THEIR BEHALF RANGES FROM 20 TO 50 RS. MINIMUM. MANY IN NAIR COMMUNITY STILL FEELS THAT THEIR DIRECT PRAYS NEVER MATERIALISES AND USE THE PRIEST./2
