Amid protests, NSS General Secretary reaffirms his support for LDF government on Sabarimala issue

Amid growing protests against him within the organisation, Nair Service Society (NSS) General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair on Saturday reiterated his organisation’s support for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government on the Sabarimala issue.

Speaking to the media at the NSS headquarters at Perunna in Kottayam, Sukumaran Nair said he had already made his position clear and had nothing further to add.

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“I have already clearly indicated my stance on the matter. I have nothing further to add. So, please don’t keep asking about it,” Sukumaran Nair said.

When reporters informed him that there were posters and banners in many places against him, Sukumaran Nair said he was not scared of them.

“Please don’t scare me with that. It will give me some publicity,” he said, adding, “We are ready to face any protests.”

Sukumaran Nair’s statement came amid growing protests against his recent statement supporting the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government on the Sabarimala issue. He also cautioned that no one should attempt to exploit the issue for political gain. “Nobody needs to come to Perunna to raise this matter again,” the NSS General Secretary said.

Sukumaran Nair further said that there is no change in the organisation’s policy of maintaining an equal distance from all political fronts. “The NSS is following a policy of equidistance. It does not have a particularly favourable stance towards any political party. There has never been a change in the equidistance policy. The stance taken during Mannath Padmanabhan’s time continues,” he said.

G Sukumaran Nair’s remarks supporting the LDF government’s stance on the Sabarimala issue have triggered protests within the Nair Service Society (NSS). On Wednesday, Sukumaran Nair openly said that he has faith in the LDF government. He also supported the Pinarayi Vijayan government on the Sabarimala issue.

Applauding the LDF government for taking steps to safeguard the Sabarimala traditions, the leader of the Nair community said the LDF government has assured him that it will resolve the issue at Sabarimala. He also criticised the Congress and the BJP in strong terms.

Soon after this, Sukumaran Nair came under criticism from within the NSS. Banners accusing him of “stabbing the Nair community in the back” appeared in Pathanamthitta, Poonjar in Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, and other places. Earlier, on Thursday, a banner was put up in front of the Vettipram NSS Karayogam (local unit) building in Pathanamthitta, criticising him.

The banner carried a sarcastic message: “Sukumaran Nair has turned Kattappa.” It also accused him of betraying Ayyappa devotees for the sake of his family and called him a shame to the community.