http://www.centralchronicle.com/20070605/0506141.htm
Purification a primitive act, Achuthanandan Agencies Guruvayur(Kerala), June 4: Dubbing as a "primitive act and insult to the nation" the purification rite conducted in Guruvayur temple, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said the custodians of the temple should create an atmosphere to allow all believers to worship in the shrine. "It was the duty of the temple authorities to create an atmosphere for all believers to worship in the shrine," Achuthanandan said while referring to debate over allowing singer K J Jesudas to the temple. The purification rite was carried out after the visit of Union Minister Vayalar Ravi's son to the temple. The temple portals are still closed to non-Hindus. In his first comment on the issue, Achuthanandan said it was high time that priests and religious authorities introspected on shedding obsolete and discriminatory practices, followed even after 60 years of independence. "This was a primitive act. It was an insult to Guruvayur, the state and the entire nation," he said after inaugurating the A K G Memorial Gate built in memory of the legendary Marxist who was a leading participant in the historic 'Guruvayur Satyagraha' for temple entry rights to backward classes and dalits 75 years ago. He said priests should strive to liberate themselves from the "prison of fundamentalist thinking and outdated traditions."
