The Global Ayyappa Summit was slammed for its low attendance, but the LDF now hopes the NSS stand will work in its favour.
Published Sep 24, 2025 | 6:15 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 24, 2025 | 6:15 PM
NSS general secretary G.Sukumaran Nair expressed confidence in the Pinarayi Vijayan government and welcomed its stand on faith-related matters.
Synopsis: NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair endorsed the Pinarayi Vijayan government’s stance on preserving Sabarimala traditions, criticising Congress for its unclear position, and BJP for unfulfilled promises. NSS and SNDP support the Left’s decision against women’s entry, anticipating a political boost in upcoming polls. Devaswom Minister Vasavan welcomed NSS’s principled backing, rejecting attempts to communalise Sabarimala traditions.
NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair expressed confidence in the Pinarayi Vijayan government and welcomed its stand on faith-related matters. He noted that while the government could have implemented women’s entry into Sabarimala, it chose not to, thereby protecting traditions.
Nair slammed both Congress and BJP, saying that the Grand Old Party lacks clarity on issues of faith and the BJP had failed to act despite promises, including a law on Sabarimala.
The NSS had participated in the Global Ayyappa Summit organised by the Devaswom Board, skipping the parallel meet, which is now seen as a sign of its support for the government.
With the NSS’ position, Kerala hopes to bolster its image, while Congress faces pressure to respond to this shift.
The Global Ayyappa Summit was slammed for its low attendance, but the LDF now hopes the NSS stand will work in its favour. HowCongress will react to this shift remains to be seen.
By sending a representative to the summit organised by the Devaswom Board, the NSS showed signs of inching closer to the incumbent government.
”The government could have chosen to implement women’s entry into Sabarimala, but they didn’t. Instead, they chose not to enforce it and thereby safeguarded traditions,” said Sukumaran Nair.
He added, ”The Congress still lacks a clear position on questions of faith, and the BJP-led Centre has done nothing tangible for devotees. We are not opposing individuals—we only object to certain policies. Even the then Union Minister V Muraleedharan had assured that a law would be brought in on Sabarimala. But where is it? Nothing materialised.”
”The Congress is equally powerless in this matter. If those who once stood against us are now willing to reconsider, I don’t see any problem in acknowledging their shift. This is not about politics. Everyone knows Congress’ stand does not favour the faithful,” he said.
SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan said the NSS decided to support the state government on the Sabarimala issue after it withdrew backing for women’s entry, following assurances from the Devaswom minister.
He pointed out that the NSS, which had strongly opposed women’s entry earlier, chose to stand with the government once ”temple customs were promised to be safeguarded,” adding that this shift would work in favour of the Left in the upcoming local body polls.
Natesan welcomed the CPM’s change in position and said the SNDP also shared the view that ”customs must be fully protected” at Sabarimala.
He criticised the Congress for its ”confused and unclear stand,” recalling that some of its leaders had once even tried to put him behind bars.
While noting that the NSS’ stance would politically benefit the Left, he expressed disappointment over the way the Ayyappa Sangam was organised at Pampa.
”The government has the capacity to mobilise large crowds, but the planning lacked imagination and caused hardships to devotees,” he said.
Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan on Wednesday welcomed the NSS’ backing of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). He called it a reflection of the TDB’s consistent stand on issues related to Sabarimala.
Speaking to reporters in Kottayam, Vasavan said the NSS has always responded to issues in a principled manner, offering both constructive criticism and suggestions, but never opposing the LDF.
He noted that the organisation’s criticism of the BJP and Congress for keeping away from the Sangamam should also be seen in this context.
”The NSS has always supported developmental initiatives at Sabarimala. Linking their stand to the upcoming elections is unnecessary,” he said.
Vasavan also criticised attempts to communalise Sabarimala traditions through the Sabarimala Samrakshana Sangamam, a parallel event held by Sangh Parivar outfits. He pointed out that even the Pandalam Palace had objected to one of the speakers at the event for allegedly making communal remarks.
”There are efforts to distort Sabarimala’s inclusive traditions. RSS and BJP’s suggestion to replace Vavar Swami with ‘Vapuri’ is unacceptable. The existing system will remain unchanged,” the Minister asserted.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
