Muslim League, Nair-Ezhava Unity and secularism

Ever since Nairs and Ezhavas, the two biggest and most influential Hindu communities in Kerala started talking about close cooperation between them, criticisms and sarcastic comments about the unity have started appearing.

Certain organized groups in Kerala society seem to be uneasy about the impact of Nair-Ezhava unity on the social scenario in Kerala. Some vested interest groups had reaped benefits in the past by making Ezhavas fight Nairs in the name of job reservation and ‘wrongs committed in the past’. Meanwhile these groups silently cornered benefits from government like job reservation by getting themselves wrongly included in the category of backward communities eligible for reservation.

Most vehement criticism about Nair-Ezhava unity came from organizations like Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Popular Front of India and  Jama at Council. The other main criticism came from Mahila Congress. The critics have targeted NSS mainly, which represent Nairs. An analysis of the reasons for their opposition leads to the conclusion that they fear that the benefits they wrongly took away may be lost in the emerging situation. Even if it does not happen they won’t be able to get undue benefits anymore. Actually Nair-Ezhava unity will restore the true secular character of Kerala society which is under threat r currently. Let us analyse how Nair-Ezhava unity will benefit secularism.

 History of unity moves

Since the state of Kerala was formed in 1956, merging the erstwhile kingdoms of Travancore in the south, Kochi in the middle and Malabar (Calicut) in north, power was shared by an elite group of four dominant communities; Nairs, Christians, Ezhavas and Muslims. These communities often formed alliances among themselves whenever they wanted to gain an upper hand or when they found that one in the group was getting upper hand.

 Ezhavas and Nairs, the biggest Hindu castes in Kerala first formed an alliance in 1950s to counter the caste inequilibrium in Indian National Congress’ state leadership which was then dominated by Christian leaders but Nair masses were a major vote bank of Congress. But the unity did not last long. There had been allegations that fissures in the Nair-Ezhava were brought about by those who felt threatened by the emerging new force. Of course, the criticism was aimed at Christian leaders of Congress.

 Though Muslim League was a significant force in Kerala politics even during 1950s, then they did not control power in Kerala and their agenda was limited. So they did not vehemently oppose Nair Ezhava unity then. Slowly by 1970’s, stake of IUML in Kerala politics grew and population of Muslims in Kerala also grew rapidly.

 Muslim-Backward unity against Nairs

 The first intelligent move of IUML aimed at gaining more social influence and power in Kerala was floating of the idea unity of backward castes and Muslims in Kerala which clearly aimed to reduce influence of NSS representing Nairs in Kerala politics. Media and academicians were also used to spread the idea that forward castes, especially Nairs in the past had exploited backward communities. This is actually a travesty of truth as influential sections among major castes and religions in Kerala had exploited backward communities.

 Using backward communities as a shield to fight Nairs, certain religious groups got reservation for jobs in Kerala. Remember reservation based on religion is not approved by constitution of India. Till a few decades back reservation benefits were given to only backward sections in Muslim religion in Kerala. Now almost everybody in that religion gets it by getting themselves branded as backwards.

 Changed social scenario and new emerging equations

 Because of the changed demography of Kerala, parties like Muslim League do not need the support of organizations of backward communities or scheduled castes now. Kerala Media has pointed out that Muslim population as a percentage of total population  in Kerala in 1960s was around 18 per cent currently it is around 25 per cent. It is now difficult to defeat Muslim League candidates in many of their constituencies. While NSS or SNDP may have influence in certain regions in Kerala organizations like Muslim League or Sunni Yuvajana Sanghom have international influence. NSS and SNDP are simply no match to them. The demographical change, increased representation in ministries and the social  progress gained by minority communities in Kerala have made the idea of Minority-Backward coalition meaningless. Minority groups in Kerala have now rejected the idea as they have new aims.

 Though Nair community is branded as forward a major section of the community is now economically backward.  Now backward communities and Nairs have realized that both of them have lost by their needless rivalry. When they fought jackals were waiting to lick their blood first and eat their flesh when they lose their strength. Nair-Ezhava unity is a symbiotic relationship and both communities are likely to benefit. Moreover, it will restore social equilibrium in Kerala which had been facing threat due to change in demography and socio-economic conditions. Thus it will benefit the whole society and reduce communal tensions there by giving rise to a true secular society.

 

Decline of Nair Supremacy
The word Nair is believed to be evolved from a word meaning leader. And Nairs have been leaders in Kerala throughout the known history of the community which is about 1200 years. But are Nairs truly leaders in Kerala at present? To be frank, a good number of Nairs cannot claim that. How and why a section of Nairs deteriorated? We need to think?

Nairs were initially warriors, farmers and Landlords by virtue of which they became influential in society. It is to be noted that Nairs were liberal feudalists. Their feudalism was marked by strong compassion to other castes. While closing gates of Nair homes in central Travancore servants used to ask loudly if there were anybody who did not have supper.

But those Nairs who always cared for others could not face the onslaught of Christians, Muslims and other Hindu communities. Land belonging to Nair community has been lost because of multiple reasons and is now owned by others. Some of the reasons of decline are;

1 Nairs lost their near monopoly in Army even during 19^th century when the British started recruiting others also. The British took away right of Nairs to wear arms.
2. Nairs used to cultivate mainly food grains (paddy and other grains) and coconut and land reforms were implemented on such lands. The lands where cash crops were cultivated known as plantations were exempted from land reforms and therefore minority communities who mostly owned them did not lose it.
3. Nairs considered trading as something not befitting them and minorities and Ezhava community who did trade profited out of that. During the rise of communism in Kerala the left parties mainly targeted land owners and not the rich traders. So it was mostly Nairs who suffered.
Kerala’s development from 19 th century mainly meant trading developed. Kerala does not have many industries. Since very few Nairs were traders and development of trade did not benefit Nairs much.
4 Though Nairs learned from the example of Christians the benefit and strength of Organisation forming Nair Service Society (NSS), they failed to implement careful planning in their operations and could not resist social changes which went against the community. Even the political power wielded by Nairs was soon lost. While NSS wound up its political arm NDP, Kerala Congress which represents Christians and Muslim League which represents Muslims have become more powerful.
5 Nairs took political ideologies to their heart and implemented it in their lives. But others embrace it for their betterment only. In fact a deliberate planning at the community level helped others to do so which Nairs did not have.

How to come out of this present situation?
Nairs need to become industrialists. This is a level playing field as almost all communities in Kerala are novices as manufacturers. Service industry is a sector where nairs can excel. It is a tribute to Nairs that present generation has come out of the shell and many are industrialists. Eg. Ravi Pillai, the Saudi based tycoon, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, owner of Jupiter capital and cashew exporters of Kollam who are mainly from the community.
END

Wikipedia page on Nairs defame Nair Community

Wikipedia page on Nairs includes all sort of derogatory opinion on Nair Community in Kerala. It seems that somebody with ulterior motives has edited the Nairs Page of Wikipedia to defame Nair Community. There is a deliberate policy from some part to destablise Nairs. The aim it seems to be  destruction of the community eventually.

According to the Wikipedia Nairs page Nairs are not a single caste but a category of castes. This is seemingly an innocent opinion but is aimed at dividing Nair community. Nairs have different sub divisions like other castes in India and Kerala.

For example Brahmins have different sub sects in Kerala. Ezhavas and scheduled castes in Kerala also have different sub divisions. In earlier times, when a caste grew there was a trend among sub sects to claim superiority and eventually develop as another caste in extreme cases. Reformers  of different castes have dismissed sub sects and united their castes in 19 th century and early 20th century in Kerala. Sub castes are true to Nairs also but like any other caste in Kerala.  It is not like different castes uniting to form one caste. The fact is a caste when it grows numerically gets divided into sub castes.

Their internal behavior is markedly different in Northern and Southern Kerala, according to Wikipedia. This is an absolutely foolish opinion. Nairs both in South and North have similar customs in all their major social and personal lives. Of course this is in tune with customs and of Hindu community of which Nairs are a part. 

Another misinterpretation of fact is Nair women especially from Central Kerala bearing legitimate children with several husbands.



Latest findings appearing in Nairs page in Wikipedia a nair hater has quoted one S.N. Sadasivan to emphasis e his opinion that the word Nair did not originate from the Sanskrit word Nayaka which means leader. Who is S.N. Sadasivan to say this? What are his credentials? He is not known to be an expert historian and his expertise is in Public Administration. Incidentally Mr. Sadasivan is an ezhava by caste and follower of Sree Narayana Guru according to Wikipedia. Has Mr. Sadasivan said so? It needs to be checked. Or is this a ploy to create social unrest by pitching Nairs against Ezhavas by selectively quoting Sadasivan?

The most outrageous opinion is quoting a so called Brahmin work Kerala-jatyachara-nirnayam, that  the term nair was bestowed upon three Naga girls by a Brahmin after an image of a dog ('nai') they created was brought to life and became the escort of Ayyappa.

This is absolutely trash and aims at abusing Nairs. Nairs need to protest against this heinous attempt to defame the community.

Nairs page in Wikipedia altered

The Nairs page in Wikipedia has been altered with many questionable information finding a place in it. The information as available on June 29, 2011 is found to be significantly different from what was there till May 15, 2011.

The information on Nairs now on Wikipedia is totally one sided and is based on views of some western writers mainly. This along with new links to the page at the bottom are definitely not positive views on Nair community. It gives rise to the doubt that some powers have altered the page to defame nairs. Many groups opposed to Nairs are angry at the popularity of the page and envious of the eminence of Nair community. Nairs need to protest against this.

Links like those linking nairs to Bunts have been removed from the Nairs page. Some of the information like Nairs fought along with Portuguese are factually wrong. Nairs as a community fought against Portuguese aggression on Western Coast of India

Magnanimous Nair leaders

Nairs formed the back bone of orthodoxy in Kerala. It is true that at a time (say roughly from 15th century to early 20 th century) they imbibed the value system of Brahmins and a section of them oppressed sections of working class who were from lower castes.

But enlightened sections of Nairs took the lead to reform social ills like caste based discrimination including untouchability. Nair reformers gave all support to backward community leaders when they demanded end of discrimination.

Ayyankali, the leader of Pulaya scheduled caste community was helped in his efforts by Nairs. It is also true that certain Nair feudal lords attacked him
Govinda Pillai the feudal lord of Venganoor in whose farms Ayyankali's parents worked helped him.
"Ayyan had a benevolent landlord in Govinda Pillai. The landlord cleared jungles to make fields with the help of Ayyan. Later he gifted a small plot to Ayyan. Land owned by a Pulayan created unease among the landed," notes ambedkar.org pages (link http://www.ambedkar.org/books/AYYAN-KALI.htm#_Toc503779931)

Another notable Nair who helped him was Sadananda Swamikal, who was a spiritual leader who worked ardently for giving the scheduled castes their rights.

Sree Narayana Guru was taught in his childhood days by Kummampaillil Raman Pillai Asan, a nair Guru. At the time when backward castes were kept at a distance by orthodox nairs, another Nair came forward boldly to teach them. Young Nanu (who later became Narayana Guru) learnt Sanskrit and traditional knowledge from there. Chattampi Swamikal, who was born in Nair Community had been his spiritual mentor. Interestingly among Narayana Guru's direct disciples Nairs were many. Guru liked Swamy Sathyavrathan the most among his disciples.

Once Guru said Sathyavrathan (who was formerly Ayyappan Pillai) had the least pride in caste among those whom I met.

Mannathu Padmanabhan, founder of Nair Service Society had always supported movements against caste oppression. He lead the Savarna Jatha to support the right of lower castes to enter the road beside Vaikom temple. He actively participated in Vaikom and Guruvayoor Satyagraha organised for asserting rights of lowers castes. K. Kelappan a true patriot and first president of Nair Service Society lead the Guruvayoor Satyagraha for the rights of backward castes.

While all caste organisations demand rights for themselves Nairs demanded economic reservation which will benefit economically lower class from all castes and religions.

Perhaps magnanimity of Nairs went to become suicidal. Irrespective of their contribution against religious and caste oppression Nairs were often portrayed as villans. While every other community in Keala received some sops from different governments, Nairs got none.

Nair politicians who won on community votes also did not ever support even legitimate demands of the community. Perhaps it is time nairs did a soul search. let them continue to work for others but remember the saying "Charity Begins at Home."

Nairs and Keralam

Nairs are inseparably connected to the history and politics of Kerala and its progress but it is doubtful whether the community has got its due from different governments that ruled the state.

Though considered upper caste, the community does not have any upper hand in any sector in Kerala. Majority of Nairs have cooperated with the progressive movements in Kerala though in fact Nairs themselves have to bear the brunt of progressive movements, many a times.

Chattambi Swami, who spearheaded a spiritual revolution in the community criticised Brahmin supremacy existed among Hindus and established that all Hindus have the right to learn sacred Vedas. He encouraged all progressive steps taken by Sree Narayana Guru towards ending caste based discrimination among Hindus including untouchability.

Mannath Padmanabhan founder of Nair Service Society, the major social organisation for the upliftment of Nairs, always sided with efforts and agitations to end cast discrimination. It is to be remembered that he stopped using his own title in his efforts to establish a united Hindu community in Kerala.

If one looks at the leaders of all progressive movements in Kerala, it could be found that a major percentage of them are Nairs. The founder of communist movement P Krishna Pillai, the founding leaders of Indian National Congress and State Congress including Sir C Sankaran Nair, K Madhavan Nair, K P Keasava Menon, Pattom Thanu Pillai were all nairs.

NSS stood against the attempt of Dewan Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer to create an independent Travancore. It was always for nationalism and always puts greater good of society in the forefront even while arguing for rights of Nairs. That the NSS has failed as an organisation currently is another issue. Its leaders have taken the greater common good to the extreme to the extent of forefeiting the rights of Nairs.

But despite all their progressive approach Nair community in Kerala failed get anything in return from Government is a fact. A large number of community members lost their land when the government implemented Kerala Land Reforms Act in 1970s. While similar upper castes among minorities protected their land under the benefit of exemption offered to cash crop estates while implementing land reforms act, Nairs who mostly cultivated food grains lost their land.

The reservations to OBCs and SC and STs made it tough for Nair youth to fight for government jobs also. The better organised minority communities grabbed government land and got it legalised by political pressure. Fertility rates among Nairs also feel leading to decrease in Nair population. While minority population increased Hindu population generally and Nair population in Kerala in particular decreased leading to lesser say in elections.

The opportunities offered by migrating to GCC and Europe and USA to Muslim and Christian communities is limited to Nairs. While migration strengthened the economic conditions of minorities in Kerala, Nairs went further down.

Being a law abiding community, Nairs are most adversely impacted by social changes in Kerala. Unfortunately NSS has failed to realise the current reality and formulate a strategy to uplift Nairs. Despite individual brilliance shown by Nairs in different fields the community is continuing to disintegrate and losing its bargaining power. Those Nairs who rise in their fields often fail to come to the help of community.