Minister Devaswom dismisses criticism of disrespect for holy water at Sabarimala temple

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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan, who has drawn attention on social media platforms for allegedly disrespecting the holy water at Sabarimala Temple, dismissed the criticism on Thursday and said those who steal God’s money should be afraid of him and that he is not afraid like him not to steal.

He said there are things he usually doesn’t consume in life and he won’t get them even if someone asks him to do so in the name of faith.

The minister was speaking to reporters here when his reaction was sought on social media criticism of him by sections of the population, alleging he did not fold his hands as he stood in front of the sanctum sanctorum of the Temple of Sabarimala when it opened for the annual pilgrimage earlier this week.

Critics also accused the minister of disrespecting “theertham”, holy water given by the priest to be consumed, by using it as a disinfectant.

The video of Radhakrishnan not using holy water and spreading it on both hands recently went viral on social media.

According to temple custom, devotees drank holy water and sprinkled the rest on their heads with reverence.

“I don’t cross my hands to pay homage to my mom every day. Does that mean I have no respect for my mom? I’ve had my own style from a young age. I don’t drink this. water (theertham) I will ‘I don’t have it even if someone asks me to do it in the name of faith,’ Radhakrishnan said.

He said although he has his own belief, he will not say that other people’s faith is bad.

The minister also said he would do anything to protect the faith of others and there was evidence for that.

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