'Brahmins-only' toilet in Kerala temple creates flutter, probe on

Kerala has been a sensational state which takes a stand for the right things. The state is much spoken about for various good examples, from eating beef to voicing against anti-CAA. But this time it has stroked the wrong cords.

A local temple in Kerala has become the eye of a social media storm after the picture of a Brahmins-only toilet outside its main campus went viral on online platforms, prompting the management to remove the signboard. While, the Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) has initiated an investigation into the matter.

The picture of three toilets, with signboards showing Men, Women and Brahmins, at the Kuttumukku Mahadeva Temple here, has gone viral with many netizens viewing it as an unethical practise which would put the progressive state in a bad light.

However, temple officials said the toilets were located out of the main campus and the board came to their notice only now.

The issue came to lime light when a research student, Aravind G Christo, posted it on social media.

Kannan, an official of the temple committee, said the board was placed nearly two decades ago and nobody raised any complaint against it so far.

“That particular toilet was used by priests and other temple employees. We didnt even notice that board…as soon as we came to know about it, we removed it and affixed a staff-only board,” he told PTI.

However, the CDB has initiated an investigation into the matter. “When the issue was brought to my notice, I directed the temple officials to remove it immediately. I have also directed CDB Assistant Commissioner Jayakumar to look into the matter and submit a report. The signboard was put up in 2003. We won’t allow such things to happen in temples of CDB,” News18 quoted board president AB Mohanan as saying.

Also a CPI-M functionary and ward councillor, Kannan said the shrine and its management was against all kinds of unethical customs. The temple official said they were planning to pursue legal measures against the man who posted the photo of the toilets on the social media.

A particular individual had shared the photo on the social media platforms at the time of the recently concluded temple festival.

“We suspect that he did it deliberately to create issues during the time of the festival and to tarnish the shrines reputation. Not only that, the photo he shared was an old one though he claimed that it was taken during the time of the festival, ” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)