How Stalin-Led DMK Govt Made It Possible To Appoint Non-Brahmin Priests, Woman Reciter In Tamil Nadu Temples

In Dec 2015, SC had said temple appointments should be made in accordance with Agama rules but not based on the criteria of caste, birth or any other parameters that are constitutionally unacceptable

First woman reciter, Suhanjana

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin appointed 58 non-Brahmin priests and a woman reciter (odhuvar) in temples last week, 15 years after the then DMK government introduced the archaka training programme as part of reforms.
All 58 newly-appointed priests and the woman reciter joined their respective temples to perform their duties on Sunday.

According to a report in ABP Nadu, in the past, temple managements permitted only people from certain caste groups to perform poojas, and women were not even permitted to go near the deity. There were several other restrictions too. In 2006, the then DMK-led government issued orders that allowed any Hindu with “requisite qualification and training” to become an archaka or priest in temples run by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Trust. 

However, the order was challenged in the Supreme Court. In December 2015, according to a report, the top court said that the appointment should be made in accordance with the Agama rules but not based on the criteria of caste, birth or any other parameters that are constitutionally unacceptable.

Agama Shastra contains the rules that govern construction of temples and worship, and also decide the eligibility of those who can be appointed to important religious positions, including the priests, at a temple.

As many as 207 people have been trained at the government centres since 2007, and 58 non-Brahmins among them have now been given appointments, said a report.

The DMK-led government has also managed to appoint five persons from Scheduled Caste communities at priests for the first time. This is also the second time a woman has been appointed as a reciter.

The announcement to appoint women as reciter was taken only after the DMK government came to power earler this year. The Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, PR Sekar Babu, had said in June 14 that the government will take steps to provide training to women to become priests.

Following this, 27-year-old Suhanjana from Tambaram of Chengalpattu district was appointed as a recieter at a government-run temple. Talking about the appointment, Suhanjana was quoted as saying that she was very happy after getting the job and that all women should take interest and read about recieters. Suhanjana also thanked the Tamil Nadu government for providing her with the opportunity.