Thanthris won't be allowed dictate rules: DYFI

Stepping up its campaign against 'outdated' temple customs, the CPI-M's youth outfit DYFI said that the thanthris (high priests) would not be allowed to dictate rules.

Addressing the district-level meeting of the Youth Brigade movement launched by DYFI, its all India president P Sreeramakrishnan said that the purification ritual performed in Guruvayur temple after the visit of Union Minister Vayalar Ravi's son to the shrine was nothing but observance of 'caste discrimination.' Caste discrimination had been abolished by law. As such, perpetuation of practices like 'punyaham' was a criminal offence, he said.

The Guruvayur issue was not just a matter concerning Hindus alone, but one which concerned all of humanity and human rights violations, he said.

The task of eradicating the caste-based organisations had been taken up as a mission by DYFI, he said.

The DYFI had earlier this week organised a satyagraha in Guruvayur, protesting the punyaham incident and demanding temple entry right for all.