Royal Family Withdraws from Event Amid Temple Entry Proclamation Controversy

In response to the controversy surrounding a notice issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board, members of the royal family, Ashwathi Thirunal Gauri Lakshmibai and Pooyam Thirunal Gauri Parvathibai, have decided to withdraw from Monday’s ceremony. Originally scheduled to light the Bhadra Deepam, their absence aims to prevent further controversy. The notice, which praised Naduvazhitham and was prepared by the Head of Culture and Archaeology Department, B. Madhusudan Nair, faced criticism for its representation of temple entry, leading to its withdrawal by the Devaswom Board.

The controversy centers around the misrepresentation of historical facts related to temple entry in the notice, which included references to the Queen and Tamburatti. Despite the withdrawal, Devaswom Board President K Anantha Gopan emphasized that the uproar is unnecessary. He defended the long tradition of temple entry as a symbol of inclusivity, bringing people of all castes together. Gopan argued that temple entry is a right, not a benevolence granted by the king, raising questions about the need to delete historical facts. The dedication ceremony for the Temple Entry Proclamation Monument is set to proceed with a focus on simplicity and flower distribution, while the Devaswom Board addresses the issue during its meeting.