BJP takes a stand against Rahul

KOCHI: Taking a tough stand against an attempt by Rahul Easwar, grandson of Thantri Kandararu Maheswararu, to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple,  the BJP said it doubted whether Rahul had followed all the procedures. ‘’Rahul should have tried to enter the temple in a proper way after following all the procedures,’’ BJP State president V Muraleedharan said. As per the shrine’s age-old customs, only the Thantri, his sons or other descendants by male lineage were allowed to perform rituals in the inner chamber of the shrine, he said. “The Thantri has all rights to keep a helper. But the Travancore Dewasvam Board should have to be intimated before a helper is sought to accompany him into the sanctum sanctorum,’’ he said. The TDB had already posted three priests to assist the thantri on the basis of the latter’s recommendation, he said. Even the Pandalam Palace had said that the thantri’s act supporting his grandson’s attempt to enter the sanctum sanctorum amounted to gross violation of the rituals and traditions and was also a security risk, Muraleedharan said.  The BJP was of the stand that there should not be any friction between the thantri and the temple administration. However, Rahul Easwar said that he would appeal to all the believers and the religious leaders on the rights of the thantri. “There are several organisations that oppose me and some others that favour me. But I would present my case before the Hindu Parliament that is being constituted  at Kollam,’’ he said. Stating that he had entered the sanctum sanctorum as many as 20 times,  Rahul said that the recent allegations were only because the TDB and the Pandalam Palace had some grudges towards him.  “I had made it clear that Makara Jyoti and Makaravilakku were different. But I think that the palace did not like this statement.  I had also demanded that the authority to light the Makarajyoti should be given to Malaarayanmar (a tribal group). The TDB evidently is opposing this. These may be the reasons why they are opposing me,’’ he said.  The TDB only wanted to concentrate the powers  in all its totality, which could not be accepted, he said.  He  added that Devaswam Board and the deity had no direct connection but the connecting factor was none other than the Thantri.