ALAPPUZHA: Baburaj Namboodiri, melsaanthi of Ambalappuzha temple under suspension along with N. Sandeep, a non-Brahmin keezhsaathi, over the disappearance of sacred ornament during Vishu festival, continues to serve as the chief priest while his non-Brahmin assistant is out of duty for the last 15 days.
Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Sept 13 suspended them after its vigilance wing found serious lapses on their part in keeping it safe. TDB had also put Keezhsaanthi Suresh Namboothiri on additional change till new ‘Melasaanthi’ takes over. But this has not happened so far.
In a reality check by DC on Tuesday, it’s found Mr Babu Namboodiri still serving inside its sanctum sanctorum like a regular staffer. A temple employee DC met at the temple nada confirmed his presence there for last 15 days. After his suspension, the TDB had sent a letter to the Karanavar (senior-most person) of his family to get him replaced as per the Karazhma (hereditary right) system the temple followed. However, the family sent a name of new appointee a week ago, and commissioner C.P. Rama Raja Prema Prasad still sits on it.
Meanwhile, Sandeep is struggling with the salary cut the suspension has brought. He is the only earning member of a family including wife and parents. According to TDB rules, a suspended priest will get only an allowance that could go up to Rs 2000 per month. The TDB had also suspended former administrative officer J. Murukesan of Ambalapuzha Sree Krishnaswamy temple in connection with the missing of sacred ornaments. But he got promoted and is working as the assistant secretary (audit). Administrative officer Gopalakrishnan said Mr Babu continued as the commissioner’s office did not respond to letter from the family.
