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FREMONT, Ca. (May 29, 2006) – The Hindu American Foundation
(HAF) welcomed the a order of the government of the Indian
state of Tamil Nadu allowing all Hindus with the required
training and qualification to become archakas (priests)
in temples regardless of caste. At present, only persons belonging
to the Brahmin caste are eligible to become archakas.
The order implements a 2002 ruling by the Supreme Court of
India which held that a qualified person cannot be barred
from priesthood merely on the basis of caste.
“We support the Tamil Nadu Govt.’s
progressive outlook with regards to caste and hope that other
states will enact similar legislation,” said Swaminathan
Venkataraman, Member of the Hindu American Foundation Executive
Council. “Equality in spiritual and religious rights
for all Hindus is not a political issue – but rather
one of basic human rights.”
Archakas are married householders
who are responsible solely for the appropriate conduct of
rituals in temples. Spiritual guidance and scriptural teachings
come from renunciate monks who have always hailed from all
castes and live in ashrams (monasteries) that are
completely unconnected to temples. Thus, while the opening
up of the priesthood to all Hindus is an essential step in
eliminating all forms of caste-based inequality, it is also
important to appreciate the somewhat limited role of archakas
in Hinduism.
HAF urges all sections of Hindu society
to accept and respect the new priests, who may not hail from
a Brahmin background. Such a step is important in forging
unity and equality among Hindus and in keeping with the highest
teachings of Hindu scriptures.
While welcoming this change in Hindu society,
HAF also bemoans the extensive government control in both
administrative and financial matters of Hindu temples and
educational institutions across India. Despite the nation’s
professed secular character, only Hindu establishments are
subjected to such treatment, while other religious organizations
are left unhindered. “For Americans, it would be unthinkable
for the U.S. government to interfere in the affairs of the
Church, but in India, the selective manhandling of Hindu institutions
is a sad reality,” said Mihir Meghani M.D., president
of the Hindu American Foundation. “While changes are
required in Hindu society, it is also necessary that the Indian
Government accord equal respect and rights to all religions.”
The Hindu American Foundation is a non-profit
501(c)(3), non-partisan organization, promoting the Hindu
and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism.
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