Kerala minister MB Rajesh said Vedic philosopher Adi Shankaracharya was an advocate and spokesperson of a "cruel caste system" that is "based on Manusmriti". "If Kerala has an acharya, it's Sree Narayana Guru and not Adi Shankaracharya...Guru is someone who has criticised Shankaracharya," said Rajesh. He added that Shankaracharya is "responsible" for the caste system having "engulfed" people.