Kottayam (Kerala), Jan 26 (NationPress) The eagerly awaited attempt to achieve harmony between Kerala’s two prominent Hindu social organizations -- the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham (SNDP Yogam) and the Nair Service Society (NSS) -- has unexpectedly been put on hold, resulting in a setback for an initiative that seemed to be gaining traction just days earlier.

On Monday, the NSS director board determined that there was no pressing need to continue pursuing the proposed unity and decided to postpone the matter, reiterating the organization’s stance of remaining neutral towards political parties and other social entities.

Responding to the NSS's abrupt change, a clearly troubled Natesan stated to the media at his residence near Alappuzha that he would wait before commenting, as he is unaware of the actual developments and thus requires time.

This decision marks a significant shift from the optimism expressed only last week by NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair.

On Wednesday, he had publicly invited the SNDP Yogam leaders to Perunna, the NSS headquarters, confidently asserting that the anticipated SNDP-NSS unity was “assured,” downplaying any political concerns surrounding the initiative.

“They are welcome at Perunna. When Tushar Vellappally (son of Natesan) arrives, he will be welcomed like a son,” Sukumaran Nair emphasized, affirming that the NSS would uphold its foundational values while formalizing any partnerships.

He also clarified that the initiative stemmed from his personal belief and would be presented to the NSS director board and apex body for approval. That approval has now been postponed.

The outreach was reciprocated by SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan, who insisted that there was no need for competition with the NSS and confirmed that a meeting with Sukumaran Nair would occur soon, with his son Tushar Vellappally managing the discussions.

After an SNDP Yogam meeting in Alappuzha, Natesan stated that organizational backing for the unity initiative was robust and dismissed political criticism as uncalled for.

The halted initiative also rekindled memories of a previous attempt at unification. Between 2012 and 2014, Vellappally and Sukumaran Nair tried to form a “Hindu Grand Alliance” ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. That effort fell apart due to disputes over the proposed Devaswom Recruitment Board and significant ideological differences, especially regarding caste-based reservation policies.

Relations remained strained for over ten years, with Sukumaran Nair declaring in 2014 that unity was unattainable as long as Vellappally led the SNDP.

The latest endeavor was framed by both leaders as a social necessity rather than a political agenda, with Sukumaran Nair cautioning that disunity among Hindus was often exacerbated by political interference. Nevertheless, the political implications were clear.

A functioning SNDP-NSS alliance could have shifted electoral dynamics ahead of the Assembly elections, likely impacting the Congress-led UDF the most.

For now, with the unity initiative on pause, that political ripple has calmed -- leaving behind another chapter of high hopes, historical burdens, and unresolved aspirations.