In Thiruvananthapuram, NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair stood firm on Saturday in his support for the Pinarayi Vijayan government. He backed the Kerala chief minister over last week’s controversial meeting by the Travancore Devaswom Board, which oversees the famous Sabarimala temple.
Before speaking at a public meeting at the NSS headquarters in Perunna, Changanacherry, Nair told reporters he’s already made his views clear. “I’ve got nothing more to say,” he added simply.
Nair didn’t shy away from the protests kicking up from some NSS members across the state. “If people want to protest, let them. It won’t sway me,” he said with a shrug. He even joked that the backlash just gives him “a bit of extra publicity.” No need to keep grilling him on the issue, he stressed.
After the event, Nair clarified he’s reacting to that recent Sabarimala meeting, which had full backing from the Vijayan government. He pointed out the NSS’s long-standing “equidistant policy” in politics—a balanced approach dating back to founder Mannathu Padmanabhan. “That hasn’t changed one bit,” Nair said.
The gathering was mainly about approving the NSS’s yearly finances, but all eyes are on Nair’s bold take. The Sabarimala issue has long fueled heated debates in Kerala politics, mixing faith, traditions, and votes. With protests popping up statewide, expect more buzz around his comments.
Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan jumped into the fray, slamming the Vijayan government’s flip-flops on Sabarimala. “Our Congress-led UDF sticks to one clear stance: true secularism, every time,” Satheesan declared.
He accused Vijayan of playing both sides—first cozying up to minorities for support, then switching to majority appeasement when that didn’t pan out. “We’ve never wavered,” Satheesan added, highlighting the deep divisions over the temple’s rules and access.
As the NSS meeting wraps up finances in Perunna, Nair’s position keeps stirring the pot in Kerala. The Sabarimala controversy shows no signs of cooling, blending public faith with sharp political edges.
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