Krishnaveni, S Ramya, and N Ranjitha have become the first three women in Tamil Nadu to be certified as government-recognized priests. They completed their training through the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the state government and will soon start working as assistant priests at different temples in the state. This is the first time women have enrolled in this priest training program.
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, praised this achievement and highlighted the state’s progressive approach. He noted that historically, women were considered impure and were not allowed to enter temples, even those dedicated to female deities. Stalin celebrated the move towards inclusivity and equality, which he believes aligns with the Dravidian model of governance.
S Ramya, who holds an MSc degree, found the training challenging but persevered. Krishnaveni, an undergraduate in mathematics, was motivated to pursue the training because of her desire to serve God and the people. Both Ramya and Krishnaveni are related and were encouraged by their families to enroll in the one-year course, which offered a stipend of ₹3,000. Ranjitha, a BSc graduate, joined the course out of interest.
This milestone comes at a time when the DMK faced controversy related to Sanatan Dharma, attracting criticism and political attention. Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu Minister and son of the Chief Minister, compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria but clarified that his critique was directed at the caste-based society. The BJP used this issue to challenge the opposition alliance, leading to a divisive political landscape.
This development has been praised by various individuals, including Congress leader Manickam Tagore and musician TM Krishna, as a significant and revolutionary step forward. They emphasized the importance of embracing inclusivity and recognizing the true essence of Sanatana Dharma.
