Source: Hindustan Times
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, November 11, 2002: Hindu priests, heads of various Hindu bodies and seers will meet at Kottakkal, Kerala’s Malappuram district, on November 24 to discuss whether entrance to Hindu temples should be available to all, regardless of religion. In most temples in Kerala, non-Hindus are not allowed entry. Famous singer, K. J. Yesudas, an ardent devotee of Guruvayurappan and Ayyappan who has sung several songs for the Deity was denied entry to the temple on the ground that he was born a Christian and, despite his devotion to Hindu Gods, has never converted to Hinduism. Similarly, poet Yusufali Kecherry, who has written songs to Lord Krishna, is not allowed to enter the Guruvayur temple because he is a Muslim. The meeting is being held under the initiative of Azhvanchery Raman Thamprackkal, who is regarded as the religious head of the Namboodiri sect in the state. “It is a custom to cleanse the religion and regain spiritual sheen of Hindustan,” a spokesman of the Azhvanchery family told the Hindustan times. “No believer should be denied entry into a temple just for the reason that he or she was born in another religion. Hinduism is at a crossroads now. Only an internal reformation exercise can revive its old glory and the conclave is a step towards that direction,” the spokesman said. However, he hastened to add that consensus among all religious heads and priests was necessary for the success of the meeting.