A third of govt.-trained priests become ineligible for recruitment by HR&CE Dept.
The Hindu
Many have crossed 35 years of age after waiting for over a decade
After a gruelling wait of more than 12 years, over a third of the 200-odd people from all castes, who underwent training for temple priesthood in 2007-08, have become ineligible for recruitment to the posts of priests as the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has an age ceiling of 35. Non-Brahmin priests trained at six pathasalas during the erstwhile regime of former Chief Minister Karunanidhi are looking to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for relaxation in the age criterion to help them realise their dreams of performing pujas in HR&CE Department-administered temples. “Karunanidhi brought about reformation by allowing people from all castes to become priests in HR&CE Department-run temples. We were thrilled to undergo training in the pathasalas. However, a prolonged legal battle delayed the job opportunities,” said a person from Madurai, who was trained at the government pathasala.More Related News