Challenges rattle NSS-SNDP unity but leaders vow to preserve unity and call for vigil

Amid speculations on strains in NSS-SNDP unity, Nair Service Society (NSS) General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair has called for vigil in preserving the unity and SNDP General Secretary Vellappally Natesan assured that SNDP won’t retract from its agenda of Hindu unity in Kerala.

Speaking at NSS headquarters at Perunna in Changanassery on August 28, 2009, Nair said he did not believe in media speculations that SNDP is slowly going away from its publicly announced stand of unity of Hindus in Kerala. Nair recounted that this stand was taken to protect the interest of Hindus in Kerala. Nair further added that if any section of Hindus have developed such a doubt SNDP leadership should take steps to remove it.

Nair further added that despite unity on issues affecting Hindus in Kerala individual organizations of Hindu castes are free to take their own stand in relations with political parties and that won’t affect unity. So NSS has no complaint on SNDP’s political stand, added  Sukumaran Nair. He said reports of strains in the unity are totally baseless and added that if he felt some of the acts of SNDP are affecting unity he won’t hesitate to point it out.

Immediately responding to Sukumaran Nair’s statement Vellappally said SNDP won’t dilute its stand of unity of Hindus in Kerala ranging from  Tribals to Brahmins. Nair-Ezhava unity is a reality and a step towards Hindu unity and it stands. If there are any misunderstandings SNDP would solve it through discussions with NSS, clarified Vellappally. Vellappally said a section of media was distorting statements of NSS and SNDP leaders and spreading rumours.

Need for clarification

NSS and SNDP had to issue clarification because there had been reports that present Congress lead United Democratic Front had tried to woo SNDP leadership by offering permission to SNDP to start more government aided educational institutions. Sections of media said Muslim League leader and Kerala’s industries minister P K Kunhalikkutty had called on Vellappally and offered freebies to SNDP. Some of the reports also said SNDP had watered down criticism against Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy who is now in a predicament following allegations against the involvement of his office in a multi crore Solar Panel scam.

Nair-Ezhava unity (Unity of two of the biggest Hindu castes in Kerala which constitute more than 80 % of Hindu population in Kerala) had been mooted in 1950s itself and several attempts had been made earlier. However this failed to last and the latest attempt was made by G Sukumaran Nair and Vellappally in 2012 June. Nair took charge as NSS general secretary just before that. Nair-Ezhava unity will create the most powerful social group in Kerala and minority communities are apprehensive of the outcome of such a move. Political parties like Congress and CPM are also wary of Hindu unity. They fear it will eventually help BJP and Hindutva organizations in Kerala.

Taking forward NSS-SNDP unity

Public assurances by Nair and Vellappally on Nair-Ezhava unity prove one thing. There had been attempts from some quarters to break the unity. It means both organizations need to establish some kind of coordination system to discuss with each other periodically issues affecting Hindus in Kerala. Speculation of strains in Nair-Ezhava unity surface because NSS and SNDP failed to take forward unity to new areas and failed to put up a show of public unity.

Hindu unity in Kerala won’t come if NSS and SNDP just start a unity movement and later go slow on it. They need to come up with joint action programmes or else the unity would slowly wither away, especially when powerful groups with money and influence want to destroy it.

Help! Nairs Are In Crisis? A reminder to all Nair baitors

Ever since Nair Service Society, a sleeping lion woke up and roared for rights of Hindus frightened vested interest groups have started barking at Nair community, NSS and its general secretary G Sukumaran Nair. Hollow sounds made by these groups can be heard on internet at different websites, media and public forums. Some of them defile Nair page on Wikipedia, some write on websites. The wailings of these corrupt men are marked by baseness and envy against Nairs who have a rich history, unparalleled achievements and impeccable credentials.

Recently one such anti-Nair post by a modern Sancho Panza appeared in one website reportedly owned by a guy who once served a Nair and was later kicked out for being incompetent. The self proclaimed author-media mogul and Crusader combine in their article imagine that Nairs never had this bad. In unintelligible language the Crusader aim barbs at Ramesh Chennithala, Ganesh Kumar and R Balakrishna Pillai conveniently forgetting allegations against other politicians like Oommen Chandy, P C George, P K Kunhalikkutty, P J Kurien and P J Joseph and Jose Thettayil, to name a few. (But we don’t want to write Christians never had this bad or Muslims never had this bad. After all, why blame a whole community for the misdeeds of some individuals)

Envious of the glorious heritage of Nairs, these vagabonds who have searched from West Asia to Europe for their fatherland are now misquoting William Logan and repeating “Happy are the people who have no history.” Having realized their truth, they are now trying their best to attack Nairs. No wonder they resorted to the time tested method of all mediocrities to gain fame by attacking the Famous. Quoting imaginary Brahmins who never accepted claims of Nairs, they conveniently forget that Brahmins called them Mlecchas. Aiming to prove a point they quote a few namesake European historians to understand Nairs. In their awe and admiration of the White Skin and in their eagerness to find a heritage, these people quote the White who termed Nairs as Stern Warriors thereby accepting the fact that Nairs had been warriors.

These irritant groups while trying to establish that Superiority of Nairs is a myth contradicts themselves saying that Nairs assumed centre stage in the early modern history period. Even these people cannot but accept the fact that Nairs were in the forefront of politics, arts, culture, literature.. .what not? And searching for the reasons for the decline of Nair supremacy these ‘researches’ have found the truth that it was during the period of ascendency that Nairs lost touch with the fact that they were meant to uphold Dharma.

Another ploy of present day Nair baiters is praising Nair Service Society founder Mannath Padmanabhan and crying that after his death Nair Community has become orphans. (One fail to understand their sympathy for Nairs) According to them period after 70s saw Gulf boom in Kerala and presently Nairs are very frustrated at the rise of others. In their eagerness to prove a point without any evidence or logic they cry hoarse that Nairs are economically deprived and experiencing terrible vacuum. According to them Nairs are frustrated at the rise of their neighbours who went to Gulf and brought back a fortune.

These people have really failed to read latest 2012 surveys of agencies like CDS which pointed out that deposits from Hindu community in Gulf, especially Nairs have recorded a significant rise in the last decade. They fail to note that Nair community among different Kerala groups has recorded the highest migration rate to other states and are successful. From TKA Nair to Shivsankar Menon, Nairs still maintain their dignified presence in the power corridors of Delhi. From former DMRC chairman E Sreedharan to present ISRO chairman Radhakrishnan, presence of Nairs at the top echelons is still strong. Now go to Gulf, among industrialists also presence of Nairs is still formidable ranging from Ravi Pillai, PNC Menon, CK Menon to Sundar Menon. Nair industrialists like CP Krishnan Nair, Ravindran Nair of Malaysia and Shivsankaran Nair of British Borneo Petroleum are some of the top names in their industries. Look at Malayalam film industry or literature here also presence of Nairs is still prominent. (Please refer to our list of famous Nairs) Lastly among politicians and ministers, Nairs continue to weild power ranging from Ramesh Chennithala, to ministers Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, K C Venugopal to Shashi Tharoor. Crusaders fail to recognize many Nairs as not all sport titles. Perhaps that is the reason why these outsiders fail to feel Nair presence.

Nair baitors in their article gives a magnanimous advise to Nairs to stop using their titles. Here also he quotes Mannath Padmanabhan pointing out that Mannam stopped using his caste title Nair. It seems this ignoramus failed to understand that Mannam stopped using his title during his maiden effort for Hindu unity which has now become a reality. Let us remind Nairs that we have every reason to be proud of our community which made significant contributions to Kerala, India and the world. We need to take inspiration from our Nair heritage and work hard to preserve and better it.

NSS ends pact with Congress

Putting an end to its special relation to Congress, a leadership meeting of Nair Service Society held at its headquarters Perunna decided to end its soft pro-Congress policy. NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair said Congress has ditched NSS and subsequently the organisation has decided to withdraw from the pact with Congress.

Nair said NSS would not enter into any discussion with any Congress leader including Sonia Gandhi hereafter. This decision is likely to have huge impact on prospects of different political parties in the next Lok Sabha elections in Kerala

Recently Sukumaran Nair had revealed NSS had entered into a confidential agreement with Congress high command before the last elections to Kerala assembly. But KPCC had denied knowledge of such a pact. However some Congress leaders including Deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha P.J Kurien, Kerala power minister Aryadan Muhammad and INTUC leader Chandrasekharan opined that NSS leadership’s statement about the pact seems to be true. Union minister Vayalar Ravi said leaderships of NSS and Congress had met before elections. However he added that he did not know about a pact.

Nair at Thiruvananthapuram taluk NSS meeting had said that NSS leadership would send a delegation to Delhi if needed to discuss with Congress high command about violation of the pact. It seems that at the NSS leadership meet on Saturday at Perunna, top leaders of Nair community have developed a feeling that the denial of the pact by Congress Kerala leadership was with the tacit support of Congress high command which backed out from the pact unilaterally.

At NSS leadership meeting, Nair said Congress leadership in Kerala had subverted the pact reached between NSS and Congress High Command. KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala and chief minister Oommen Chandy have ditched NSS. If there was no such agreement, Congress president Sonia Gandhi should publicly deny it, Nair added. NSS general secretary said from now onwards NSS’ stand towards Congress will be the same as its stand towards other political parties including the CPI (M). NSS would support political parties based on issues only, he said.

Nair said by unilaterally backing out of the pact which was aimed at ensuring communal balance and social justice in Kerala, Congress has defamed Nair Service Society. He said Congress leaders should remember that Congress had ruled Kerala only when NSS supported it. Those Congress leaders like P.C Chacko, or PP Thankachan are not competent to comment on NSS-Congress high command pact, Nair said.

Nair  community has a strong presence in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, and Kannur (6/14)districts in Kerala. It has considerable influence in other two districts of Thrissur and Palakkad. Nair community members are present in all other districts. If NSS sincerely takes a strong anti-Congress stand Congress is unlikely to win coming Lok Sabha elections in Kerala.

Nair Service Society had traditionally taken a pro-Congress stand from 1960 onwards. Its founder leader Mannath Padmanabhan lead the liberation struggle in Kerala against the first elected government in Kerala which was incidentally lead by EMS Namboothiripad of CPM.

NSS had floated a political party NDP in 1980s. It was a coalition partner of Congress lead United Democratic Front. However by the end of 1990 NDP was disbanded by NSS. Though it publicly declared an equidistant policy called Samadoora Sidhantham, From hereafter NSS leadership directly made agreements with Congress and openly supported a few Congress leaders acting like their God father. Some of the Congress leaders who received open support of NSS include Ramesh Chennithala and K.C Veugopal.

If NSS firmly continues its anti-Congress stand it would change the power equations in Congress and in Kerala. There is also a possibility that a good numberof pro Congress NSS workers may vote for BJP and BJP could benefit out of Congress-NSS rift.

Uproar in Kerala politics on Sukumaran Nair’s statement that Antony’s suggestion to make Chennithala home minister subverted

Nair Service Society general secretary G Sukumaran Nair’s statement that Congress leader and Indian Defense Minister A K Antony’s suggestion to make Ramesh Chennithala home minister of Kerala had been subverted,’ has created uproar in Kerala politics.

Nair made the statement in an interview given to Malayala Manorama news channel on January 4, 2013. Kerala home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan in a reply  to Nair said he did not know that Antony had given such a suggestion. Thiruvanchoor added that after becoming the home minister he had tried to contact Sukumaran Nair but could not.

Oommen Chandy had earlier divested the home portfolio which he held initially and handed it over to Thiruvanchoor known as his confidante. This followed allegations that majority Hindus in Kerala are not adequately represented in Kerala cabinet. In this context Thiruvanchoor was given home portfolio. Incidentally both Thiruvanchoor and Chennithala belong to Nair community. Sukumaran Nair had protested against the decision at that time itself.

There had been suggestions at that time that Chennithala who is KPCC president should be made deputy chief minister with home portfolio. Sukumaran Nair said Oommen Chandy gave home to Thiruvanchoor to sideline Chennithala.

Nair’s statement is likely to create further headache to Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy who is facing the allegation of yielding to pressure of Muslim League and Christian dominated Kerala Congress while selecting ministers. Muslim League had been give a fifth minister in the cabinet recently following their persistent demand. All key portfolios like finance, industries, PWD etc are now being handled by Muslim League and Kerala Congress.

Hindu organizations in Kerala like Nair Service Society and SNDP Yogam are now raising the complaint that Hindus in Kerala are getting a raw deal. Majority of MLAs of ruling United Democratic Front are non Hindus.

Following Sukumaran Nair’s statement many congress leaders in Kerala have issued. MM Hassan said it was for Antony to verify Sukumaran Nair’s statement.

Nair’s statement points to a few things. Nair community in Kerala is now having a complaint that it is being sidelined by Congress. Nairs have the feeling that minorities now dominate Congress in Kerala. Nairs used to vote for Congress en block earlier. Now it seems some of them are going to BJP and even CPM which once Nairs opposed.

In the coming days strife between Nairs and Ezhavas on one side and Muslim League and Kerala Congress on the other side would happen in the ruling Congress lead United Democratic front. Kerala. Kerala’s political equilibrium would change drastically.

One should read all this with A.K Antony’s statement at Mannam Janayanthi celebrations. He said that Kerala’s communal harmony has lost its warmth.

Nair priests to replace Brahmin priests at temples of Nair Service Society

One of the most interesting announcements made by Nair Service Society General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair at the 136th Mannam Jayanthi celebration concluded at NSS headquarters Changanasseri on Jan 3, 2013 was decision of the organization to promote Nairs as priests instead of Brahmin Priests at temples owned by NSS.

Addressing a mamoth gathering of Nairs at Nair Delegates’ Meet on the first day of the two-day celebration, Sukumaran Nair emphasised the need to promote learned Nairs as priests

The aim is to identify members of the community who possess ‘brahmanyam, Nair said and pointed out that exploitation exists in spiritual arena even now.

Leading English newspapers which quoted Nair said Nair pointed out that Sections of Brahmins who used to take advantage of the Nair community at various power centres are continuing the practice in spiritual arena and to stop this, those Nairs with tantric knowledge have to be made priests. NSS will start more Tantrik vidyapeets he asserted.

When the NSS started its first Thanthra Vidya Peethom, there was opposition from certain sections. However challenges were overcome and the first batch of candidates have passed out and are receiving wholehearted acceptance from Nair community, Sukumaran Nair said. However Nair clarified that his criticism is not against all Brahmins but only against those who claim to be Brahmin and lack knowledge of Vedas and other Hindu scriptures and pooja practices.

Sukumaran Nair’s announcement is timely and it is high time that Nairs appointed learned Hindus as priests in temples owned by them rather than looking for those who bear  Brahmin caste names. As Rigveda said “Janmana Jayathe Sudra, Karmanya Diwija Uchyathe,’. This can be roughly translated as everyone is born Sudra but attains Brahminhood by studies and culture.

One cannot forget the acts of former Sabarimala Tantri Kantaru Mohanaru who was banned from performing duties at Sabarimala following findings of Travancore Devaswom Board that he engaged in acts not expected from him. Once a learned three member inquiry commission which investigated into irregularities in Devaswom Board interviewed Mohanaru. Many newspapers had reported the answers given byMohanaru to commission. Mohanaru admitted before the commission that  he does not know Sanskrit, Veda mantras. He was unable   to tell the commission the birth star of Lord Ganapathi or recite  Bhagyasooktham even though he claimed he conducted Ganapathi Homam.  When this was the plight of a Sabarimala Tantri who claimed traditional right to the post, it is better Learned Nairs conducted pooja themselves.