In the heart of Kerala politics, the powerful Nair Service Society (NSS), a key voice for the Hindu Nair community, has thrown its weight behind the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government on the hot-button Sabarimala temple issue. The group welcomes the government’s fresh take on protecting faith and traditions, especially around women’s entry into the shrine.
This comes just days after the Left-backed Global Ayyappa Summit wrapped up, marking a rare team-up between a traditional Hindu group and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Sabarimala practices. The summit highlighted devotion to Lord Ayyappa, the deity at the center of the temple’s age-old customs.
NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair pulled no punches in his statement. “The government could have let young women enter Sabarimala but smartly decided against it,” he said, praising the move as a win for devotees’ feelings.
Nair didn’t hold back on the opposition either. He slammed the Congress for “deceitful politics,” saying the party dodges clear stands on faith matters and overlooks the sentiments of Kerala’s majority Hindu community. Turning to the BJP and the central government, he added, “They’ve done zilch for Sabarimala devotees and broken promises on passing protective laws.”
State Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan cheered Nair’s words as a “positive and heartfelt” boost. He pointed out that the NSS had backed the Global Ayyappa Summit from the start and even sent a rep to join in. “The NSS has laid out its views loud and clear, offering full support. Their jabs at the UDF (United Democratic Front, led by Congress) and BJP back up that our government’s position is spot on,” Vasavan said. He stressed that the NSS never bucks the government outright—their input stays focused on real issues, not blanket opposition.
Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of the SNDP Yogam, which reps the Hindu Ezhava community, chimed in too. He made it clear their backing for the government’s Sabarimala stance is all about the issue, not party lines. “We’re not sure if NSS fully matches our views, but both groups stand firm on safeguarding traditions—no women entering the temple,” Natesan explained. He predicted the NSS’s support could give the LDF a leg up in Kerala’s upcoming elections, noting that the organization gets the government’s shift on the matter.
Vasavan also touched on drama from a rival Ayyappa event, where some speakers stirred trouble with remarks about Lord Ayyappa. The Pandalam royal family, traditional custodians of Sabarimala, is now pursuing legal steps. Still, Vasavan reiterated that the NSS sticks to facts when speaking out, always keeping things issue-driven.
This balanced approach from the NSS—backing the Kerala government on faith while calling out rivals—solidifies its role as a major player in the state’s socio-religious talks, especially with polls on the horizon. The Congress seems blindsided by the praise for the Left, but it harks back to Nair’s words right after the 2021 assembly elections. He had hinted at widespread calls for change, yet Vijayan scored a massive victory and held onto power.
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