Mangalore: Chief Minister Siddaramiah agreed to the request made by former union minister B. Janardhana Poojary to appoint women priests (archaks) in temples, which come under Muzrai Department. The chief minister said while inaugurating the Mangalore Dasara at Shree Gokarnatheshwara Kshetra, Kudroli on Saturday.

During the formal programme, former minister and Kudroli Temple chief B. Janardhana Poojary asked the Chief Minister to bring a revolutionary move by appointing women priests in the temple, citing the example of two widows who were inducted as priests at the Kudroli temple last year.

In response, Siddaramaiah accepted the suggestion and hoped there will be no objections for the proposal. He said, “We will look at appointing women archaks in the temples. I hope, there will be no objection from the people’, he added. 

Pray for others

The Chief Minister advised the devotees at Kudroli to pray for others rather than oneself. He said, “Religion should not be a reason for disharmony among each other. All religion teaches love, not hatred”.

Citing the example of Brahmashree Narayana Guru, he asked not to discriminate people based on religion. He said, ‘Narayana Guru started an alternative temple when the lower caste people were denied entry into the temple. If someone discriminates other for his religion, it’s a most inhumane gesture’, he added.

On the increasing atrocities against women, the chief minister said more than law and punishment against the sexual offenders, it’s the societal responsibility to outrage such attacks on women. The society should stand up and protest against it’, he said. 

Earlier, Janaradhana Poojary lauded the chief minister for being a man of the poor and deprived section of the society.

Siddaramaiah offered prayers to idols of Navadurga and Sharada installed as part of Mangalore Dasara/Navarathri festivities and to the presiding deity at Kudroli Gokananatha Temple.