He said what was necessary for a person to become a priest was knowledge of religion and rituals and discipline, and not caste.

With the Supreme Court expected to come out soon with its judgment on the petitions against a 2006 Government Order (G.O.) allowing non-Brahmins to become priests in temples, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on Wednesday, said it concurred with the view that only “qualification” in religious canons and not “caste” should be the basis for selection for priests.

Speaking to The Hindu here, State RSS president M.L. Raja said what was necessary for a person to become a priest was knowledge of religion and rituals and discipline ( aacharam and anushtanam ).

“There is no question of caste. Do you mean to say non-Brahmins are not priests in any temple in Tamil Nadu today? The qualification in the religious canons and discipline is what is important,” he said, adding that this applies to temples governed by agamas as well.

The statement assumes significance given that sections of the BJP have been against State interference in matters of temple worship.

The petition in the apex court challenging the G.O. by associations of priests contended that while the process of appointing archakas may be a secular one in which the State could involve itself, the functions of a priest was religious in nature and should conform to tradition.

The judgment in the case was reserved in May.

Beef controversy

Addressing a press conference to elaborate the resolutions in a recent RSS conference in Ranchi, Mr. Raja claimed the drop in the Hindu population since 1951 was a trend that “threatened the cultural identity of the people.” On whether people had the right to consume what they wished, Mr. Raja said the Constitution mandates protection of the cow.