Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 24 (NationPress) The powerful Nair Service Society (NSS), representing the Hindu Nair community, has clarified its stance on the Sabarimala controversy, showing trust in the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala administration while endorsing its revised viewpoint on religious matters.

This declaration follows shortly after the Left-backed Global Ayyappa Summit, indicating an unusual partnership between a traditional community organization and the Left government regarding the delicate Sabarimala temple practices.

NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair was forthright, asserting that the government could have permitted young women to enter Sabarimala but opted not to.

While commending the government's approach, he also directed sharp criticism towards the Congress and the BJP.

He accused the Congress of engaging in “deceitful politics” and failing to adopt a firm stance on faith matters, neglecting the sentiments of the majority population.

Regarding the BJP and the Central administration, he stated: “They have failed to assist devotees and have not fulfilled commitments to introduce legislation.”

State Devasom Minister V.N. Vasavan welcomed Nair’s remarks, labeling them as a positive and constructive stance.

He noted that Nair had previously shown support for the Global Ayyappa Summit and had sent a representative.

“The NSS has made its position clear and extended support. His critiques of the UDF and BJP are constructive, reaffirming that the government’s stance is correct,” Vasavan expressed.

He further emphasized that the NSS has never opposed the government, with its interventions being issue-oriented.

In the dialogue, SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan, representing the Hindu Ezhava community, highlighted that their backing is focused on issues rather than political affiliations.

“We are unsure if the NSS completely aligns with our stance, but both NSS and SNDP are committed to preserving traditions and maintain that women should not enter Sabarimala,” he mentioned.

Natesan added that the NSS's position might favor the LDF in the upcoming elections, indicating that the government’s change in position has been recognized and accepted by the organization.

Vasavan also addressed incidents at an alternative Ayyappa Summit, where certain speakers made controversial remarks about Lord Ayyappa.

He noted that the Pandalam royal family has pursued legal action, reiterating that the NSS has never been adversarial towards the government but raises opinions and critiques only when deemed necessary, always based on facts and issues.

The NSS’s thoughtful approach, supporting the government on faith-related matters while articulating issue-based critiques against opposition parties, has fortified its status as a significant player in Kerala’s socio-religious discourse ahead of elections.

The Congress, caught off guard by the praise for the Left government, recalled Nair’s statement shortly after casting his vote during the 2021 Assembly elections – that the populace desired a change in governance, yet when votes were counted, Vijayan achieved a historic victory and retained his position.