Why is Hindu Charitable Trust re-announcing its plan to appoint female priest?: Vanathi Srinivasan questions
Coimbatore: BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan welcomed and questioned the announcement of the DMK government as to “why HR&CE is issuing training to women to become priests was currently announced when it is already in practice?”
BJP National Women's Wing Leader Vanathi Srinivasan said, "Minister of Hindu Religious Affairs said steps will be taken to make all castes members as priests. But even now in the Vedic and Vaishnava temples, people of all castes are working as priests. Priest training is given to all castes on behalf of the RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Temples under the control of the Department of Hindu Religious Affairs the worship will be done in Tamil. Of the major temples throughout Tamil Nadu, 'Archanai' is still performed in Tamil.
The Minister's announcement ofwomen being trained as priests is also already existing. Women are serving in many temples including Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Amman. All spiritual training is given to women in Perur and Srivai Aadeenam. In the tradition of the Hindus, there is already a spiritual platform for women. An example of this is Karaikal Ammaiyar and Avvaiyar. The Minister should know which projects are currently in operation and then make announcements accordingly."
Though this statement by Vanathi Srinivasan on the surface sounds true, in ground reality, these temples pointed out are exceptions rather than norms. It’s not a norm to have people of all castes and genders to represent as priests in all temples. It’s more of a “separate and equal” arrangement which the Coimbatore South MLA is pointing out rather than an egalitarian arrangement which has not been in practice. The TN Government’s announcement is more for all temples under it’s control and not for lone temples where certain exceptions are in place.
BJP National Women's Wing Leader Vanathi Srinivasan said, "Minister of Hindu Religious Affairs said steps will be taken to make all castes members as priests. But even now in the Vedic and Vaishnava temples, people of all castes are working as priests. Priest training is given to all castes on behalf of the RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Temples under the control of the Department of Hindu Religious Affairs the worship will be done in Tamil. Of the major temples throughout Tamil Nadu, 'Archanai' is still performed in Tamil.
The Minister's announcement ofwomen being trained as priests is also already existing. Women are serving in many temples including Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Amman. All spiritual training is given to women in Perur and Srivai Aadeenam. In the tradition of the Hindus, there is already a spiritual platform for women. An example of this is Karaikal Ammaiyar and Avvaiyar. The Minister should know which projects are currently in operation and then make announcements accordingly."
Though this statement by Vanathi Srinivasan on the surface sounds true, in ground reality, these temples pointed out are exceptions rather than norms. It’s not a norm to have people of all castes and genders to represent as priests in all temples. It’s more of a “separate and equal” arrangement which the Coimbatore South MLA is pointing out rather than an egalitarian arrangement which has not been in practice. The TN Government’s announcement is more for all temples under it’s control and not for lone temples where certain exceptions are in place.