Group of male devotees protest dress code, enter temple without removing shirts in Kerala
Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Mar 24 (PTI): A group of people entered a Lord Ayyappa temple here on Sunday without removing their shirts, protesting against the long-standing practice that requires male devotees to do so before entering the shrine.
Visuals showed the protesters — members of the SNDP Samyuktha Samara Samithi — forming a queue in front of the shrine in Perunadu managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and offering prayers without removing their shirts.
The protest went off without incident, as neither the police nor the temple management objected.
The protesters later demanded a permanent end to the practice of requiring male devotees to remove their upper garments.
"The protest was peaceful. The temple management had already clarified that they had no objection if anyone entered the shrine without removing their shirts, though devotees traditionally followed the practice," a police officer said.
The protest took place months after a prominent monk called for the practice to be abolished in all temples across the state.
Swami Satchidananda, head of the renowned Sivagiri Mutt founded by social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, had described the practice as a social evil and urged its abolition, last year.
He claimed that the tradition of removing upper garments was originally introduced to verify whether men wore the "poonool" (the sacred thread worn by Brahmins).
The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam is an organisation representing the numerically strong Ezhava community.
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CM Siddaramaiah urges PM Modi to grant 'national monument status' to Rani Chennamma’s samadhi
Bengaluru, Mar 29 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare the samadhi of Kittur Rani Chennamma—the queen of the former princely state of Kittur, who led an armed resistance against the British East India Company—a "monument of national importance" under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
Highlighting the historical and cultural significance of the samadhi located in Bailahongala taluk of Belagavi district, he stated in a letter to Modi that Rani Chennamma holds a unique place in India's history as one of the first women to lead an armed resistance against colonial rule.
Her valour and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations across the nation, he added.
In the letter, Siddaramaiah emphasised that the samadhi of this iconic leader is not just a resting place but a sacred site symbolising the undying spirit of India's struggle for independence.
"It stands as a beacon of courage and sacrifice, reflecting the determination of a woman who defied the might of the British East India Company in 1824," he wrote.
He asserted that recognising this site as a "nationally important monument" under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, would be a significant step in preserving her legacy and honoring her contribution to the nation.
Siddaramaiah brought to the Prime Minister's attention that despite its immense historical significance, the site remains in need of proper conservation and development.
He stressed that such recognition would facilitate the necessary measures to safeguard the samadhi’s integrity, protecting it from "neglect and degradation".
"It would also bring greater visibility to the site, attracting visitors from across the country and beyond, thereby promoting cultural tourism and contributing to the socio-economic development of the region," he noted in the letter.
"More importantly, it would serve as a means to educate future generations about Rani Chennamma's unparalleled role in our freedom struggle and instill pride in our collective heritage."
The Chief Minister further stated that national recognition of Chennamma's samadhi would reinforce "Karnataka’s pride" while securing its rightful place in the annals of Indian history.
"I urge you to direct the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India to expedite the process of evaluating and declaring this sacred site a monument of national importance," he added.
