The Thazhmon Madhom Thantri family, who are the head priests of Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple, have dissociated themselves from the Ayyappa Dharma Sena president Rahul Easwar in a statement issued by the family as per reports. Rahul Easwar had been leading the protests against the entry of women in the Sabarimala temple.
The Thantri family in a public statement have clarified that Rahul Easwar was in no way related to the practices and traditions of the Sabarimala temple and the Thantris. And he has nothing to do with the ritualistic practices and usages at Sabarimala or with the tantric rights of the Thazhamon family.
It is notable here that Easwar was taken into custody on 27 October after his statement that there were people ready to cut themselves and spill blood to forcefully close the temple in case any women entered.
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Easwar is related to the family from his mother’s side. Easwar’s uncle, Thantri Kandararu Mohanararu told media, “Rahul Easwar is not related to the family (practices in any way). My sister got married and moved away. We practice a patrilineal system now. Which means only the sons inherit the legacy”.
The statement was issued by the Thantri family in response to Easwar’s speech where he had said there is an organised conspiracy to spill blood to desecrate the temple, in case women entered. “If any one (women between the ages of 10 and 50) tried to enter the temple with the help of the police, about 20 people were ready to make a cut on their hand and shed blood. If that happens, the temple would have to be closed for three days (on account of desecration). There is no need to open it no matter who says so. If we are being provoked like that, we too have our ways. If blood or urine falls on the temple, it has to be closed. This is faith”, Easwar had said.
The Thantri family disapproved of Easwar’s plan to pollute the temple. “We want the sanctum to be the place of peace and devotion, we want to maintain it that way. Nothing should happen which would pollute the holy sanctum which will make it impure. Everyone must cooperate and work towards upholding the sanctity of Ayyappa’s sanctum,” the statement read.
The statement also revealed that Easwar had made an attempt to become a priest in Sabarimala by using a fake letter pad of Sabarimala Chief Thantri Kandararu Maheswarar. He also allegedly took his grandfather’s signature on blank cheques and withdrew large amounts on multiple occasions.
Referring to the Chief Minister’s speech on Sabarimala as painful, the family in the statement said, “Thantri family has always enjoyed a good relationship with the Devaswom board and this will continue to do so. In Pathanamthitta, respected CM’s speech brought forth great pain. We believe, it must have been the result of some misunderstanding that the CM has taken such a stance.”
Rahul Easwar was arrested by the police during the Sabarimala protests and cases on charges of rioting, unlawful assembly and several other sections were brought against him. He was later released on bail.