Amid three women becoming temple priests in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin said the feat was possible under the Dravidian governance model on Thursday. The three women priests were appointed after suitable training to become priests under a state program for people of all castes. The three women completed their training at Archakar Training School run by Sri Ranganathar temple in Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli.
On Wednesday, HR &CE Minister PK Sekarbabu presented the course completion certificates to N Ranjitha (25) of Vellamathagu Koradacheri in Tiruvarur district, S Ramya (23) and C Krishnaveni (23) of Mel Adhanur village in Cuddalore district, reported The New Indian Express.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Stalin said, "Despite women's achievements as pilots and astronauts, they were barred from the sacred role of temple priests, deemed impure, even in the temples for female deities. But change is finally here!"
"In Tamil Nadu, as our #DravidianModel Government has removed the thorn from Thanthai Periyar's heart by appointing people of all castes as priests, women are also now stepping into the sanctums, bringing a new era of inclusivity and equality," he said.
In certain temples around the state, women already serve in the role of priest. P K Sekar Babu, the Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, stated in 2021 that after receiving training, women might be appointed as priests in temples.
Ranjitha is a BSc (Visual Communication) graduate while Ramya and Krishnaveni hold MSc (Maths) degrees each.
Meanwhile, DMK government appointed 38 archakas and eight women othuvars from all castes on Thursday.