Thiruvananthapuram | The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala urged people to remain vigilant against any attempts—by anyone—to "undermine" the state’s secular fabric.
Without naming Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan, who had launched a scathing attack on minority communities for allegedly "grabbing the opportunities meant for backward classes", a CPI(M) state secretariat statement said the Left Front government was committed to addressing the grievances of all sections of society.
"Social justice and secularism are the foundation of the government’s policy," the statement added.
Natesan’s speeches—at Kottayam on Saturday and Kochi on Sunday—have drawn widespread criticism from various political parties.
Speaking at a felicitation event in Kochi to mark his 30 years as SNDP general secretary, Natesan said he would continue to speak about social justice and "the neglect of the backward Ezhava community", despite opposition from minority leaders.
State Cooperation Minister V N Vasavan, who inaugurated the event, praised Natesan for his “historic achievements” during his tenure.
The CPI(M) statement said the party views minority rights as intrinsic to safeguarding secularism.
"Only in a secular society can people of all faiths—and those with none—function democratically," it added.
The LDF government’s welfare programmes aim to address the challenges faced by the poorer sections across all communities, it further said.
The Communist Party has drawn inspiration from Kerala’s renaissance movements and has worked to ensure social justice, the statement added.
The SNDP, founded by Sree Narayana Guru, upheld the principle that the essence of all religions is the same.
"The organisation should move forward in a manner that protects secularism. Anyone can raise the issues of a particular community, but not in a way that incites religious animosity," the statement stressed.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan also strongly criticised Natesan’s remarks, stating that any attempt to divide society must be opposed.
Speaking in Kochi, Satheesan said Natesan’s comments "went against the very ideals upheld" by SNDP founder Sree Narayana Guru.
"Community leaders should avoid statements that create divisions among people," he claimed.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty also condemned Natesan’s "unwarranted" remarks against minorities.
He urged the state government to examine Natesan’s statements and take appropriate action.
Kochi | SNDP Yogam leader Vellappally Natesan on Sunday said he "was not against any particular community", but would always speak out to ensure social justice.
Speaking at a felicitation event held in his honour, Natesan said that the Muslim community, "despite internal differences", had managed to unite and consolidate itself into a strong vote bank.
The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam general secretary further said that he was not against any particular community, but would always speak out in the interests of social justice.
He said that both Muslim and Christian communities had progressed by coming together, and therefore, the "Ezhava community should learn from them."
His comments came a day after he claimed that the Muslim community would soon become the majority in Kerala.
Natesan also criticised the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key constituent of the Congress-led UDF, for "calling itself secular while having no office bearers, MPs, or MLAs from other communities."
In contrast, he claimed, many Muslims were part of the SNDP.
Further, he claimed the Ezhava community did not have a single school in Malappuram district and drew flak for stating it publicly.
"I don’t care if my effigy is burned—or if I am—I will not change my stance," he added.
Meanwhile, leaders from the CPI(M), Congress and BJP who attended the event praised Natesan’s leadership.
State Cooperation Minister V N Vasavan said Natesan was adept at "crisis management" and had consolidated the SNDP Yogam into a "strong organisation".
Congress MLA K Babu echoed the sentiment, saying Natesan faced several challenges, including being "hunted" by the media, but remained resolute and "strengthened the organisation".
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who was present, said that in an era dominated by "appeasement politics", Natesan had "consistently and courageously stood up for the rights of his community," adding that his contributions to Kerala’s social and cultural landscape were "invaluable".
In April this year, Natesan had described Malappuram as a separate nation or an exclusive state of certain people, claiming that "people from backward communities lived in fear there."
The SNDP Yogam represents the numerically strong Ezhava community in Kerala.