Natesan renews attack on IUML
Speaking at a felicitation event organised by the SNDP Yogam Kochi Union in Palluruthy to mark his 30 years as general secretary, Natesan targeted the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), accusing religious groups and scholars of interfering in the state's governance.
Mocking IUML, Natesan said it was ironic that a religious organisation is referred to as a secular party. "Muslim League means a Muslim union; all its members, including MLAs and MPs, are Muslims.
Yet they claim to be secular. Jawaharlal Nehru once called the Muslim League a 'dead horse.' Later, Muhammad Koya called it a 'sleeping lion.' He was right. After lying dormant, they united, gained strength and are now an unbeatable force in Kerala," he said.
"Today, their announcements can determine who will rule Kerala. Political parties are afraid and trembling. If I say we are living under religious rule rather than in a democracy, what is wrong with that?" Natesan asked.
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He also claimed he was being unfairly targeted and would continue to speak the truth, even if criticised by religious leaders such as Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar. "Those who speak of caste constantly and work to protect it are calling me casteist. That is the irony," he said. He added that his comments were not against the Muslim community but against religious interference in politics. He also alleged that despite forming a significant part of the population, the Ezhava and Hindu communities are often overlooked by govts and not treated as equal citizens.
Opposition leader V D Satheesan strongly condemned Natesan's remarks, urging community leaders to avoid divisive statements. Speaking to the media in Kochi, Satheesan said the SNDP leader's words contradict the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru.
"He is promoting ideas the Guru explicitly warned against," Satheesan said, further alleging that Natesan was echoing chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan's narrative. "This is a script written by the chief minister himself," he claimed.
Speaking at Natesan's a felicitation event. minister V N Vasavan lauded his role in transforming SNDP into a strong organization. BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar also praised Natesan, commending his contributions to both the community and the state.
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