Sabarimala Protest: Big Setback To Hindu Unity In Kerala As SNDP Supports CPM Government

In a major setback to the ongoing efforts to shape Hindu unity in Kerala, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) General Secretary Vellappally Natesan has said that the powerful protest movement that has witnessed thousands of Ayyappa devotees hit the street against the Supreme Court verdict in the Sabarimala women entry issue is completely inappropriate.

SNDP, which represents the interests of the Ezhava community, runs a number of educational institutions, hospitals, social service organisation and enjoys considerable support among Ezhavas who form 23 per cent of the state’s population.

SNDP is often been locked in a bitter battle with Nair Service Society (NSS) that represents another significant caste group, the Nairs of the state. Kerala's Hindus, in total, form 55 per cent of the state population.

Vellapally also alleged that protests are being orchestrated with the insidious agenda to destabilise the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government.

Despite Chief Minister repeatedly reiterating that his government will not file a review petition against the Supreme Court Verdict, Vellapally claimed that the Chief Minister has an open stand in the matter.

Vellapally also criticised that the protestors saying that they have so far refused to hold any confabulations with any other Hindu sects including Ezhava community and SC/ST. “Are they aiming at a liberation movement? SNDP Yogam will enter the field to disclose the reality behind the strikes by cooperating with others having similar stand.” he said.

Vellapally also alleged that the key positions in Devaswom Board and other temple trusts continue to remain in the stranglehold of elite communities, and that the lower castes occupy only a meagre four percent representation in these positions. He also insinuated that elites have snatched the rights to perform many customs in Sabarimala from the lower castes who were historically the custodians of these traditions.

Vellapally also made a highly contentious claims that restrictions on women entry came in to force only after 1991. He stressed that ‘riots’ in the name of protest cannot be accepted. He credited the CPM-led government with good intentions and criticised the Tantric family saying that they are not the VIPs among Hindus in Kerala.

While saying that women in SNDP Yogam will not go to Sabarimala, Vellapally added that those who want to go should not be blocked.

“We are always facing untouchability in Devaswom Board. The president of Devaswom Board is a person without a stand,” he said. He also demanded that board’s president should resign from the post.

Vellapally was a pivotal figure in the efforts to forge Hindu unity in the run up to the state assembly elections. He had then said that “We have to work towards Hindu unity. Several communities have been left behind due to the politics of the state in the past few decades. There is great potential for development if the communities come together.”