Politics · India Bureau
Congress MP calls for SC representation in Kerala Devaswom board leadership
Kodikkunnil Suresh has urged the Kerala government to appoint a president from the Scheduled Caste community to head one of the state's five Devaswom boards. The Congress parliamentarian noted that despite SC representation at various levels within the temple administration system, no board president has been drawn from the community.
LSN India ·
Congress Member of Parliament Kodikkunnil Suresh has pressed the Kerala government to break new ground by appointing a Scheduled Caste member as president of one of the state's five Devaswom boards, currently led by administrators from other communities.
In his representation, Suresh highlighted an existing disparity within Kerala's temple management structure. While the Devaswom system has accommodated SC representation across various operational levels, the leadership positions of all five boards remain vacant of SC community representation at the presidential level.
The Devaswom boards oversee the administration and management of major Hindu temples across Kerala, wielding considerable influence over temple finances, rituals, and development initiatives. The five boards administer temples in different regions of the state, each headed by a president responsible for key decision-making functions.
Suresh's intervention underscores ongoing debates within Kerala regarding equitable representation in institutional leadership across religious and cultural organizations. The MP's call reflects broader concerns about ensuring inclusive governance structures that reflect the state's social composition.
The Kerala government has not yet responded formally to the proposal to amend the existing appointment process for Devaswom board presidencies.