Vayalar Ravi questions temple's right over ritual row

Kochi, May 20 (UNI) Reacting to the row over his son's entry to Guruvayoor temple, Union Minister for Indian Overseas Affairs Vayalar Ravi today questioned the right of the temple officials to deny entry to his generation into the temple.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Ravi asked ''who has the right to say that my generation could not enter the temple.'' ''This is not a good precedence,'' he said.

''If my son can not enter the temple, then his son and the next generation would also be barred entry,'' he said.

When asked whether he was contemplating action on the issue, Mr Ravi said, ''it is for my son to decide.'' ''I am not in for a fight with the authorities concerned'', he said.

The entry of Ravi Krishna at Sree Krishna temple on Friday kicked up a row as Tantri Chennas Raman Namboothiripad issued directives for conducting 'Valiya Punyaham', a purification ritual.

The ritual was conducted as per directive considering that Mercy Ravi, mother of Ravi Krishna was a Christian and non-Hindus were strictly barred at the temple.

UNI