Universal Temple Entry

Please do not forget that Guruvayoor Temple is one among the many thousands of Hindu temples and each temple has its own rituals and customs. Hinduism does not have a tradition of steamrolling all variations of customs into a monolithic or homogenous whole. Therefore, if a Muslim or Christian wants to go to a temple, there are many in which they are not barred - Sabarimala being the most famous example.

Purification rites are extant in most temples of Kerala, but not all. Even here, during temple festivals, wearing footwear into the temples, for example, is allowed. Since there are measures (like menstruating women not being allowed into temples) and counter-measures (purification rites in case of transgression of customs), it is clear that the thrust of temple management is an environment of understanding of temple traditions and cooperation by temple-goers. Let us not upset the traditions of Guruvayoor (or any other temple) simply because a particular temple has its own peculiar traditions and rites.

In this context, I would have gone to the extent of adding that if certain temples did not allow certain castes temple entry, it was not right on the part of any social reformer to change the situation and call for universal temple entry into such temples. It would be inhuman only if some castes were prevented from going to temples at all. This situation had never arisen in Hinduism. All castes always had their own temples. No one was prevented from believing in anything or worshiping in any manner. This is not the case of Islam in Arabia. Where are the idol-worshippers or their temples today in Arabia? Both have been wiped out in the name of Islam and Islamic homogeneity.

However, as I said above, I would not say the social reformers were wrong. Their action has ensured that Hindus have been saved from being irretrievably splintered. Imagine me, of a certain caste, going from temple doors to temple doors to ensure that I get through only into the temple of my caste. Mercifully, such situation does arise among Hindus today, except in some parts of India where the so –called lower castes are still kept away. Hopefully, the situation there too would change.

Sikhs and Dera

The Sikhs are flexing their muscles on a non-issue. Someone dressing up like Guru Gobind Singh should only flatter the Sikhs, for is not imitation the best form of flattery? It would also do well for the Sikhs to remember that while they may be a majority in Punjab, they are a minority in all the other states of India. Any violence in the name of religion in Punjab may backfire all over India, particularly as the Dera is being instigated by Congress and Congress has the track-record of the notorious anti-Sikh riots of Delhi. Let the Sikhs show the Hindu spirit of acceptance of other religious viewpoints and not reflect the Muslim spirit of intolerance.

Hajj and idol worship

It is ironic that Muslims, who do not believe in idol worship, feel compelled to visit the master idol in Mecca at least once in their life-time. Of course, they would deny that going to Mecca is to worship the idol there. They worship only Allah. But by limiting Allah to a favourite spot and considering a pilgrimage to that particular spot the epitome of religious fulfillment, the practice is nothing less than idolatry, as understood by an idolater like me.