Author: B Upendran
Publication: Hinduexistence.org
Date: September 11, 2022
URL:      https://hinduexistence.org/2022/09/12/push-for-appointment-of-priests-as-right-of-all-hindus-says-vck-chief/

After facing hard retaliation, VCK chief says,’Push for appointment of priests as ‘right of all Hindus’.

As there were many agitations and retaliations in the Hindu priest bodies for the proposal of appointment of priest from ‘any caste’ in Tamil Nadu Hindu temples, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan has stated that the appointment of Hindu priests irrespective of their castes, which has been championed by DMK government, should be defended on the basis that it protects the rights of all Hindus.

In a social media post recently, the Dravida leader of VCK and a Rajya Sabha MP as well, said the move by the DMK should be referred to as ‘any Hindu can become priests’ instead of ‘all castes can become priests’.

Many Hindu priests body thought that the DMK Govt had a plan to appoint even Muslim and Christian persons as priests in the Hindu Temples in Tamil Nadu.

“We are not saying that anyone from any religion can become a priest. We are only saying that all Hindus, irrespective of castes, should be able to become priests. This is a protest in favour of Hindus. Yet, we will be portrayed as though we are against Hindus,” Thirumavalavan said latest in the row.

The move in recent by Mr. Thirumavalavan appears to be a counter to the criticism that the DMK and VCK parties are against Hindus. Explaining Mr. Thirumavalavan’s comments, VCK’s Assembly floor leader and general secretary Sinthanai Selvan said the party wanted equality for Hindus within Hinduism, which has seen several reform movements in its history.

“There are many strands in Hinduism and one of the important aspects of the religion is that it is one of continuous reformations. This [appointing anyone, irrespective of caste, as priests in temple] is also a reformation,” he added.