Caught in a row over denial of his son's entry to the Guruvayur temple, on Monday Union Minister Vayalar Ravi raised questions over Kerala government's idea to bring a legislation for allowing non-Hindus to worship in temples.
"Government cannot get into matters of faith. It cannot go beyond a certain point. Administration of temples is okay, but it cannot decide on faith," Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, told PTI.
His comments came after state Minister for Temple Affairs G Sudhakaran's statement that the CPI(M)-led government was of the opinion that all believers should be allowed to worship in temples and if necessary it will bring in a law.
Ravi is embroiled in a controversy over the conduct of a purification ceremony by Guruvayur temple authorities after the visit of his son Ravikrishna, on the grounds that his mother hailed from a Christian family.
The purification has triggered a fresh debate on the entry of non-Hindus into Guruvayur, a issue which came to the fore after the temple authorities prevented renowned singer Yesudas from entering the temple.
Expressing his opposition to a legislation for allowing non-Hindus to worship in temples in the state, Ravi said his case was entirely different as he is a Hindu and his son was also brought up as a Hindu.
"He is a Hindu and a believer. How can they prevent him from worshipping in the temple. This is an entirely different and serious issue," he said and reiterated his decision to take up the matter to the court.