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India Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Christian unity after nuns' arrest shows vote bank power: Kerala Hindu group leader
A prominent Hindu caste leader from Kerala has said that the Christian community, though only two per cent of India's population, has proven that even a small but united group can act as a powerful vote bank capable of influencing political parties and drawing national attention. Vellappally Natesan, General Secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam and a leading figure of the Ezhava community in Kerala, made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Alappuzha. advertisementReferring to the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh, Natesan said the Christian community had responded in a highly organised and united manner. 'There are many different denominations in Christianity, but they all stood together and brought the government to their knees. They were so many to speak for them,' he said. Natesan pointed out that political leaders from across the spectrum, including the Congress, Left parties and even the BJP, had rushed to Chhattisgarh in support of the nuns. 'Let it be right or wrong, but when two nuns were arrested, even BJP leaders were running around like their tail caught fire. To visit them in jail, announcing support. The Left is going, the Right (he meant Congress) is going and even BJP is going,' he a comparison with his own community, he asked, 'Did we (Ezhavas) listen to anything what our Guru said? If we could organise and stand together where would we have reached?'The Ezhava community is the largest Hindu caste group in Kerala and has historically been linked to the reformist teachings of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. Natesan, who leads the SNDP Yogam that represents this community, said the Christian community's reaction to the arrest showed how even a small group can become a political force if it remains united. 'I am not saying anything about whether the arrest is right or wrong,' he clarified, 'but their unity showed what can be done.'- Ends IN THIS STORY#Kerala
The Hindu
26-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vellappally Natesan slams Satheeshan
Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan on Saturday strongly criticised Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, calling him the worst Opposition leader in the State. While inaugurating a programme organised by the SNDP Yogam at Pandappally near Muvattupuzha, he said Mr. Satheesan is anti-Ezhava. 'He is in no position to teach me about Guru Dharma,' said Mr. Natesan. 'Mr. Satheesan is incapable of leading the United Democratic Front (UDF). The Left Democratic Front (LDF) will come to power for the third time in the State,' he said. 'Mr. Satheesan is trying to ensure his position and is all set to become the next Chief Minister. However, he is does not know how to mange issues in a better manner,' said Mr. Natesan. . On Malappuram 'Some groups are trying to portray me as anti-Muslim when I speak the truth. Ezhava community in Malappuram is facing discrimination, even in the education sector. Most of the institutions there belong to the Muslim community. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is a communal political party. Are there any other community members on the personal staff of the IUML representatives? If it is a secular party, will they field a Brahmin community member on their seats in the next election?' asked Mr. Natesan. 'There is no problem when Christian or Nair community members raise caste-related issues. However, when the Ezhava community speaks about such issues, a big controversy is created,' he said. Mr. Natesan further alleged that the Congress party sidelined former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K. Sudhakaran because he belongs to the SNDP community. Many members of the Ezhava community take up the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme works. They lack employment opportunities and are forced to take up such jobs, he said. This situation should be rectified, Mr. Natesan added. In response, Mr. Satheesan said that Mr. Natesan was saying things that the Guru would not approve of. Communal utterings, regardless of where they come from, should be opposed. Around 52% of the voters in his constituency [North Paravur] belonged to the Ezhava community, and he held a very good relationship with them, Mr. Satheesan added.
Hindustan Times
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kerala govt to continue with revised school timings
Thiruvananthapuram, The Kerala government on Friday decided to continue with the revised educational calendar for the academic year 2025-26, despite opposition from certain religious organisations. Kerala govt to continue with revised school timings After holding discussions with the managements of schools run by various community organisations, including Muslim Educational Society , Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana , Nair Service Society , and Samastha here, state Education Minister V Sivankutty told reporters that the government will stick to the revised timings in schools. As for the next academic year, further discussions can be held on the subject along with other issues that might crop up in future, the minister said. As per the government's decision, all schools will start their classes from 9.45 am instead of 10 am and end at 4.15 pm instead of 4 pm, he said. Muslim organisations had opposed the timing, saying that religious studies in the morning at the Madrassas will be disrupted with the revised timings. The minister claimed that all those who took part in the discussion were convinced about the objective of the decision, made according to a High Court verdict based on the recommendations of a panel set up by the government. Sivankutty said the government talked with the managements as discussions were essential in a democratic set-up when different opinions are expressed. 'We convinced them of the need to revise the timings in accordance with the Court's directions and state education rules, he said. The Kerala Education Rules prescribe 128 working days for 1-4 classes, 200 working days for 5-7 classes, and 204 working days for 8-10 classes in an academic year. 'It is only a matter of an extra 15 minutes in the morning and no one needs to be too much concerned about it,' he said. Replying to a query, he said anyone can approach the court if they have complaints regarding the decision. The minister said a safety audit will be conducted in all the schools across the state. Deputy Directors of Education have been asked to inform the respective district collectors about the safety status of schools in their areas. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
India Today
22-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala politician urges Hindu women to have more children, warns of Muslim majority
Prominent Hindu Ezhava community leader in Kerala, Vellapally Natesan sparked a row after he said that Kerala could soon become a Muslim-majority state, blaming Hindu women for 'reducing reproduction' and urging them not to do at a leadership meeting of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam in Kottayam on Saturday, Natesan claimed that both the ruling LDF and opposition UDF were aiding the Muslim community politically, and that Hindus needed to unite to protect their the Ezhavas unite, we can decide who should rule Kerala,' Natesan said, addressing members of the state's largest Hindu caste group. Criticising what he described as 'religious dominance' in public life, Natesan cited a recent controversy over extending school timings.'When the education department wanted to increase school timings based on a court order, Samastha (a prominent Muslim body) said the government could instead reduce Onam and Christmas holidays. Where is this country headed? This is no longer secular,' he also referred to former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan's remark that Kerala would become a Muslim-majority state by 2040. 'Doesn't look like we'll have to wait till 2040,' he added, noting demographic changes in electoral constituencies. 'In Alappuzha district, two seats have been reduced as Hindus reduced reproduction. In Malappuram, four seats increased as they increased reproduction. My dearest sisters, don't reduce reproduction,' he in April this year, Natesan had sparked another controversy during a speech at a convention in Kerala's Malappuram to the Muslim-majority district as 'a different country,' he said: 'I don't think you can live in Malappuram by breathing fresh air. I don't think you can live by even saying an independent opinion. Malappuram is a different country. It is a state of different people.'- Ends IN THIS STORY#Kerala
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vellappally Natesan slams Muslim community for efforts to enhance foothold over Kerala
Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan on Saturday accused the Muslim community of attempting to enhance its foothold over Kerala. Conducting the State-level inauguration of branch leadership meeting of various SNDP Yogam unions, Mr. Natesan warned that Muslim community would soon become the majority in the State and criticised, what he called, undue interventions by the community in the administrative affairs of the State. 'From school timings to uniform changes, interventions are happening everywhere. This is no longer secularism but religious dominance,' he said. He also pointed out that while the number of constituencies in Hindu-majority regions had been reduced, Malappuram had gained four new seats. 'The Indian Union Muslim League is contesting more seats across the State and, in the next election, will demand even more. They're now eyeing constituencies beyond Malabar. Ultimately, the IUML's aim is the Chief Minister's post,' he alleged. Mr. Natesan also claimed that no law introduced by the government would take effect unless it was first endorsed in Malappuram. 'When I spoke the truth in Malappuram, I was attacked en masse. Everyone only calmed down after the Chief Minister voiced support. But when the truth is told, it is branded as communal or casteism.' Reservation issue Reflecting on the past, he remarked that even though the SNDP Yogam supported Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty in the reservation issue, only the Muslim community benefitted. 'The Ezhavas got nothing. No one talks about social justice anymore. At a time when caste is evident even in names, if Ezhavas speak of caste, it is misrepresented as a distortion of Sree Narayana Guru's vision.' He went on to claim that Muslims dominated the industrial sector, while Christians had monopolised the education sector. 'Ezhavas are represented only in the employment guarantee scheme. In Kottayam, no new courses are sanctioned for Ezhava-run educational institutions. In fact, across Kerala, the only community-specific institution for Ezhavas is located in Kottayam.' Community solidarity Calling for community solidarity, Mr. Natesan said: 'If Ezhavas unite, we have the strength to govern. We can decide who should rule Kerala. Whichever party we join, we must assert our right to representation. In areas where Ezhavas are strong, we must aim to capture political power.' The event also featured an organisational briefing by SNDP vice-president Thushar Vellappally. Union convener Suresh Parameswaran, vice-chairman Sinil Mundappally and joint convener V. Sashikumar also addressed the gathering.
