Caste in temples

The Supreme Court had recently observed that caste and birth should not be the criteria for appointment as the priest in a temple. The Court is of the opinion that qualifications other than those of caste or birth should be prescribed for a person to be appointed as a priest. The ruling seems to be in sync with the beliefs of Dr Ambedkar who advocated learning and not birth to be the criteria of priesthood. In certain temples, even the sub caste has been prescribed. The Brahmins have objected on the ground that this is the only profession that is exclusively for them and if this is also taken away then what will they do. Another objection raised was on the ground of the appointments being made on the basis of age old customs and traditions. The Court says that it is in accordance of Article 16 of the Constitution. The judgement has come in the time when a number of people including politicians have stated that they were denied entry into various temples.
The implementation of the uniform civil code may be an antidote of many discriminatory practices being followed in different religions. Till then these practices are covered under personal laws that have their source in customs and traditions.