Nair says backlash no problem

Satheesan cool

- HD Bureau

G. Sukumaran Nair, General Secretary of the Nair Service Society, has reaffirmed the organisation's longtime posture of maintaining equal distance from all political fronts, asserting that there is "no change" in its policy even as criticism intensifies over his support of the Left Democratic Front's approach to the Sabarimala issue.

Speaking after chairing a meeting of NSS representatives at its headquarters in Perunna, Nair told the media, "The NSS has stated its position very clearly earlier. We are ready to face any protests." He cautioned against leveraging the controversy for political gain, adding, "Nobody needs to come to Perunna to raise this matter again."

His remarks follow widespread backlash after he publicly declared trust in the LDF government's handling of the Sabarimala temple customs, drawing accusations of partisan tilt. Critics have pointed to the NSS's deep-rooted role in Kerala's sociopolitical landscape to demand clearer boundaries between its religious-cultural identity and electoral alignments.

Facing dissent, NSS supporters have registered protests at the grassroots level. A banner surfaced in Vettipram, Pathanamthitta, portraying Nair as “Kattappa" - a reference to betrayal in popular culture - attributing to him a perceived betrayal of community interests in favour of state power. The identities of those responsible remain unconfirmed.

At the same time, a family in Changanassery publicly resigned from their Karayogam, citing Nair's remarks as a breach of NSS's nonpartisan ethos, and urging it to distance itself from political leanings.