CHENNAI: During its central committee meeting in November 1969, the Dravidar Kazhagam headed by Periyar decided to undertake an agitation demanding an end to the practice of appointing only Brahmins as archakas in Agamic temples as a way of removing one of the root causes of casteism.
The DMK government headed by Karunanidhi duly came forward to fulfil the demand, and on December 2, 1970, the State legislature unanimously adopted the amendment to the Hindu Religious Endowment Act that provided for the appointment of priests from any caste.
With assent of the Governor, the act came into force in January 1971, but was challenged before the court by many. On March 14, 1972, the Supreme Court gave its verdict upholding the amendment to HR and CE Act, but also upheld the authority of the Agamas and its rules, which laid stress on customs followed by every temple in appointing archakas.
Following this, Periyar announced an agitation and organised a conference on “Eradication of the social indignity of the Tamils Conference” in Chennai in 1973 emphasising equal rights and opportunities for persons of all castes to enter Garba Graha (sanctum sanctorum), known as Karuvarai Nuzhaivu Porattam.
Despite his ill-health, Periyar undertook extensive tours to explain the need to bring to an end the privileges in priesthood and in other religious rites and ceremonies.
Recent Developments
2006: DMK regime headed by Karunanidhi issues GO on May 23 stating that members of all castes can become archakas provided they have necessary training about temple rituals and other practices.
GO later challenged by Adi Saiva Sivachariyargal Nala Sangam
December, 2015: SC gives verdict, but it is ambiguous and fails to make an impact
August 2017: The non-Brahmin archakas trained by the State government move high court seeking directions to evolve a scheme for appointing them as priests in HR & CE-run temples
October 5: Travancore Devaswom Board appoints 36 non-Brahmins, including six dalits, as priests