Kerala CM backs Sivagiri Mutt’s call to end practice of devotees entering temples after removing shirts

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticizes regressive temple practices, challenges Sanatana Dharma, and advocates for social reform.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said Sivagiri Mutt broadcast a powerful socially reformist message by suggesting that devotees abandon the regressive practice of entering temples after removing their shirts.

Inaugurating the 92nd Sivagiri Pilgrimage at Varkala on Tuesday (December 31, 2024), Mr. Vijayan said Sivagiri Mutt president Swamy Sachithananda stated that the practice was anachronistic and not in tune with modern progressive values. “His words echoed the reformist thought, life and message of Sree Narayana Guru”, he added.

Mr. Vijayan said temples associated with Sree Narayana Guru’s movement had abandoned the questionable custom.

He hoped other temples would follow suit. “There is no need to force anybody. Nevertheless, progressive change is inevitable. Sivagiri has historically led reformist social movements,” he added. 

Mr. Vijayan slammed attempts to cast Sree Narayana Guru as a proponent of Sanatana Dharma. He said Sanatana Dharma and Varnashrama Dharma were not dissimilar. 

Mr. Vijayan said Sanatana Dharma imposed a rigid set of so-called divinely ordained duties and practices on followers. It hewed to the principles of Varnashrama Dharma, an inflexible set of obligations and responsibilities based on the follower’s caste-based social station.

Mr. Vijayan said Sree Narayana Guru challenged the Sanatana and Varnashrama Dharma concept that individuals born into a particular caste or social class could only pursue the traditional occupation practised by their ancestors.