Kerala Govt to set up varsity to teach tantris: Minister

Kochi, Aug 9 (UNI) The Kerala Government is mulling to start a University to teach Hindu philosophy and rituals to 'tantris' in the State, Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran said today.

Talking to reporters after appearing before the Paripoornan Commission here, constituted by the Kerala High Court to inquire into allegations of corruption and malpractices in the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), he said the varsity would be headed by scholars and experts in the field and priests would be trained on 'slokas' to be recited during puja rituals in temples.

Mr Sudhakaran said the University would also oversee the working of the priests and submit periodical reports to the Devaswom Board.

The Minister informed the Commission that a 'Sabarimala Pilgrimage Trust' would be formed to avoid any 'misdeeds' in the functioning of the temple.

The Government was also planning to constitute a separate 'Temple Protection Force' to provide security to various temples in the State, he said.

Mr Sudhakaran said the Government would increase the number of members in the Devaswom Board. An ombudsman would be appointed to look into the allegations of corruption against the Devaswom Board.

UNI