KOTTAYAM: Coming out against CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s remarks that Nair Service Society (NSS) should change its stand on the Sabarimala issue, NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair said the advice is irrelevant. “The government should first rectify its stand against the devotees,” he said.
Nair said the NSS has taken a stand in favour of the devotees and there was no political interest behind it.
“The tradition of the organisation is that it upholds the values of NSS founder-leader Mannath Padmanabhan. There is no reason to link the legacy of the organisation with its efforts for the protection of faith,” he said.
Earlier, Kodiyeri had demanded that the NSS should change its stand on the Sabarimala issue and alleged that its stand is not in tune with renaissance values. According to him, the NSS’ stand was against the spirit of renaissance values upheld by Mannath Padmanabhan.
Nair said when he came to know that the government was planning to move against the devotees, he had requested Kodiyeri to backtrack. Or else, the NSS will take a stand for the conservation of traditions and faith. “Hence, we are saying the CPM leader’s advice is irrelevant,” he said.
Kodiyeri’s remarks came after the NSS toughened its stand against the LDF Government for promoting the entry of women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple following the recent Supreme Court judgment.