Kollam: SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has lashed out at the upper caste lobby that, he alleged, was controlling the Travancore Devaswom Board and many temples denying the lower castes their rights.
“Those who raise slogans of Hindu unity have not yet considered Ezhavas and scheduled castes as Hindus,” Mr. Natesan said here on Tuesday. “The Ezhavas and SCs still face discrimination in temples. We are considered a jandus (animals) and not as Hindus,” he added.
He criticised the protests against the entry of young women in Sabarimala and said it was decided by a king of Changanassery (referring to the NSS headquarters), and a priest (of Sabarimala) who consider themselves as lords.
He also criticised the NSS saying “the reality behind their equidistance policy is now known to all.”
Expressing his hope that young women will not enter Sabarimala, he said, “however, it is not right to protest against the issue. There are other issues to be discussed. In Kollam, there are temples where Ezhavas are barred from the rituals. They get no consideration in the Travancore Devaswom Board either,” he said.
He also said the temples in the state are controlled by the upper castes, which should be changed. “Religious discrimination still prevails and that should be discussed prior to women’s entry in Sabarimala,” he added.
On the Ayyappa bhaktha sangamam held in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, Mr. Natesan said it had a political motive and alleged that there was no participation of backward castes.
He also denied his connection with the BDJS saying that he had committed a mistake by associating with the BJP earlier. “SNDP has no connection with any political parties. It was my mistake that I had travelled in a helicopter sent by the BJP,” he added.
