PTI

Thiruvananthapuram, May 29: The Left Front government in Kerala favoured a legislation to allow non-Hindus in temples even as a meeting of Vedic scholars and priests came out strongly against government intervention in customs and rituals of the shrines.

Kerala Cooperation and Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran told reporters here that the LDF government was of the opinion that all believers should be allowed to worship in temples.

The government would think of bringing in a legislation in this regard after consulting with all people concerned, he said.

"The matter has to be discussed with Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and if necessary, we will bring in a law", he added reacting to Guruvayur temple's high priest statement that he only followed existing rules and it was for the government to change the rules.

The conduct of 'puniyaham' (purification) after the visit of Union Minister Vayalar Ravi's son Ravikrishna on the ground that his mother hailed from a Christian family has sparked a statewide debate on entry of non-Hindus into the temple.

After the issue of allowing renowned singer Yesudas, a Christian, came to the fore, a debate on the temple entry was going on in the state and at the national level also. People from all walks of life have supported the stand taken by the government.

Guruvayur Devaswom authorities were forced to keep in abeyance a decision on the request of Sudhakaran to permit Yesudas to worship in Guruvayur after protests from certain quarters.