Training as per Agamas, a pre-requisite for appointing women as priests: Minister

He told The Hindu on Tuesday that any such appointment would be made only in small temples and not in big temples.

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P.K. Sekarbabu’s recent remark on the appointment of women as “archaka” (priest) in temples has triggered a debate on whether it could be implemented in temples which follow Agamas. According to the Minister, women, who get trained at the relevant schools in accordance with the Agamas, will have to pass a test before being considered for appointment as priests. However, the government will proceed in the matter only after a thorough discussion with all stakeholders on the subject, Mr. Sekarbabu says. “We are not going to forcefully make anyone priests.” He told The Hindu on Tuesday that any such appointment would be made only in small temples and not in big temples such as Parthasarathy temple, Triplicane, and Vadivudai Amman temple, Thiruvottiryur. When pressed further, the Minister replied that “let women come forward first.”