A trained person of any caste can be a temple priest
In one line
Temple priests are chosen for their training in the rituals, not for the caste they are born into.
What happened
A Malayala Brahmin worshipper challenged the appointment of a non-Brahmin as the priest (Santhikaran) of a Shiva temple in Kerala. He argued that only Brahmins could perform the rituals there.
What the court decided
- Insisting that only a Brahmin by birth can perform the rituals is not an essential religious practice protected by the Constitution.
- A properly trained and qualified person can be appointed as a priest, whatever their caste.
- A custom that goes against human dignity and social equality cannot be enforced, even if it is old.
What it means for you
- Priests are selected on their knowledge of the rituals. Brahmin priests continue to be appointed on merit, like everyone else.
- In 2015 the Supreme Court added that in temples governed by Agamas (traditional temple texts), appointments must follow those texts, as long as no one is excluded only because of caste or birth.
- Temple boards and trusts must follow fair selection rules.
Source: Judgment of the Supreme Court of India in N. Adithayan v. Travancore Devaswom Board, decided on 3 Oct 2002.
This summary is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Laws change; talk to an advocate before acting.
