Row as Kerala CPM minister visits temple

Thiruvananthapuram: Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran’s visit to Guruvayur temple triggered a controversy, with the CPM state leadership saying it is collecting details regarding the matter.

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said he was not aware of the details of the minister’s temple visit. The minister visited the temple on Ashtami Rohini Day and offered ‘pushpanjali’ on behalf of his family members. Apart from making donation, he reportedly offered prayers at the ‘sacred steps’ of the temple. He contributed money for ‘anna danam’ as well.

Later at a public meeting, the minister said he felt content after the visit. Since CPM ministers visiting temples is rare, the visit created a controversy. However, he said those who were intolerant about good works he was doing were creating an unnecessary controversy.

Mr Surendran said his family members were staunch devotees and he never tried to change them. Meanwhile, BJP and Sangh Parivar welcomed Mr Surendran’s visit to Guruvayur temple. BJP leaders said the prayers offered by the minister at the temple was a befitting reply to Kodiyeri and P. Jayarajan’s plan to disrupt ‘Ashtami Rohini’ festival. The CPM brought out a rectification document in 2009, which laid down clear guidelines for the party workers and leaders on such matters. There were two aspects of religious activity that were mentioned in the rectification document.

One of the guidelines given was educate the party members to eschew all social, caste and religious practices, which are alien to Communist norms. The second referred to the guidelines for the conduct of leading Party functionaries and elected representatives.   

“They have also been asked not to organise religious ceremonies or  personally conduct religious rituals. Leading Party cadres are expected to uphold progressive values in their personal and social lives.  They should not organise religious ceremonies.

It is another matter that they may have to participate in social functions with religious ceremonies organised by others, especially if they are elected representatives.

Communist Party leaders cannot profess something in public and do something else in their personal life,” the document said.