Outstation Vedic priests protest over non-payment

Outstation Vedic priests used the smoky interruption that enveloped the Yagasthali (vedic venue) at Erravelli in Medak district on Sunday to demand the much promised payments to them. After the interruption, when the local Vedic priests returned to the yagna kunds to continue with the rituals, some stayed back in the open air. The foxed organisers mulled over the matter and appealed to the outstation priests in Kannada and Hindi to return to their religious posts. The priests hailing from Karnataka and Maharashtra, however, insisted on payments, without which they would not continue the rituals. Faced with a tough one, the organisers said the Vedic rituals should not be aimed at as money-making proposition but to achieve an honorarium, which would be complied with. They should not demean Brahmanism as such by their act. They should, therefore, return to the yagasthali and conclude the rituals. The organisers also persuaded the Pandits who invited the priests to do the needful in the matter. After an assurance, the Kannada and Maharashtrian Vedic priests returned to the religious posts.