KOTTAYAM: In a brazen move, the NSS leadership has refused security checks at Mannam Samadhi mandapam at its Perunna headquarters ahead of Vice President C P Radhakrishnan’s scheduled visit, forcing the security team to withdraw and potentially prompting a revision of the dignitary’s itinerary.
Sources close to the NSS leadership said the decision stemmed solely from concerns that police dog inspections could desecrate Mannam Samadhi — revered as a holy site by the community —and insisted the organisation bore no ill will toward the vice president. “In fact, he (Radhakrishnan) had visited Perunna and offered floral tributes at Mannam Samadhi shortly before assuming office,” a source said.
According to police, the vice president is scheduled to arrive in Changanassery on Saturday to attend the valedictory function of SB College’s centenary celebrations. His itinerary includes landing at the NSS Hindu College ground at Perunna and proceeding to the nearby Mannam Samadhi to pay floral tributes, before moving to SB College. However, the NSS’s objections to the security checks have complicated these plans.
“We have received communication from the VP’s office regarding his intention to pay tributes at Mannam Samadhi,” said A Shahul Hameed, Kottayam police superintendent.
‘Didn’t receive any info from vice-president’s office’
“However, the NSS authorities have expressed reservations about security checks at the Samadhi mandapam. We have temporarily suspended the checks and informed the vice president’s office, awaiting further instructions,” said Shahul Hameed. The security team that arrived in Perunna to carry out the checks comprised personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Kerala Police.
However, NSS sources said they didn’t receive any communication from the vice president’s office regarding his intention to offer floral tributes at Mannam Samadhi.
NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair was not available for comment.
In 1996, the visit of then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao to the NSS headquarters had kicked up a controversy following allegations that security personnel desecrated Mannam Samadhi by entering with their shoes on.
The backlash prompted the NSS’s political arm, National Democratic Party (NDP), which was later dissolved, to withdraw from the Congress-led UDF. Later, BJP leader L K Advani was also denied permission to pay homage at the Samadhi during his Rath Yatra. Last month, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose had alleged that he was not allowed to offer floral tributes at Mannam Samadhi.