The solemn, colourful and spectacular launch of the Yatra, led by SNDP chief Vellapally Natesan, has created anxiety among both UDF and LDF leaders.
Vellapally Natesan, chief of Shree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP), the community organisation of OBC Ezhavas in Kerala, founded by legendary Hindu monk Shree Narayana Guru, has commenced a “Samathwa Munnetta Yathra” (Yathra for Equality) from Kasaragod, the northern tip of Kerala. Yatra intends to expose the discrimination the Hindus have been suffering since the last several decades under the CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) as well as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) regimes. The unity of all Hindus, ranging from Namboothiri (Kerala Brahmins) to Nayati (a Dalith community), is the objective of the Yatra; it has been the main agenda of Vellapally for the last one decade. He had made several attempts to move in this direction. One among them was his alliance with Nair Service Society (NSS), the community organisation of the so-called caste Hindu Nairs, founded by late Mannath Padmanabahan, a revered social reformer and close associate of second RSS Sarsanghachalak Poojaneeya Guruji Golwalker.
Yatra was flagged off by Akkeraman Kalidasa Bhattathirippad, the state leader of Yogakshema Sabha, the community organisation of Namboothiris. The jyoti, the traditional torch, was lighted by Swami Vishweshwara Theertha of Pejwar Mat, Udipi, Swami Sharadananda of Shivagiri Mutt founded by Shree Narayana Guru, Amrithakripananda Puri of Amruthanandamayi Math, Swami Premananda of Theerthankara Ashram, Swami Atmaswaroopananda of Sreeramakrishnashram, Nilambur and Swami Goragh Nath of Agasthya Siddhashram to mark the auspicious beginning of the Yatra. Senior RSS Pracharak and Hindu Aikya Vedi state chief Kummanam Rajasekharan, SNDP president Dr MN Soman, SNDP vice president Thushar Vellappalli, TV Babu, the state general secretary of Kerala Pulaya Maha Sabha, the community organisation of the Dalit Pulayas and Malabar Nair Samjam president Mancherry Bhaskaran Pillai were some of the speakers.
The solemn, colourful and spectacular launch of the Yatra has created anxiety among both UDF and LDF leaders. They are very much worried of SNDP’s entry into the mainstream politics; its close co-operation with BJP and RSS has given sleepless nights to both Fronts. Vellapally has declared that SNDP would announce the launch of a new political party by the culmination of the Yatra. BJP’s sterling performance in the recently concluded local self governing bodies elections owes a lot to its open political co-operation with SNDP in several parts of the state. CPI (M) Polit Bureau has already expressed its anxiety in the BJP performance in the election. Therefore, both CM Ommen Chandy and LoP VS Achuthanandan have started scathing attacks on Vellapally, SNDP, BJP and RSS.
Vellapally has shot back that if LDF and UDF keep on neglecting the majority community, time would drown both in the deep seas. LoP VS had said in a mocking tone that Vellapally would wear the RSS uniform of khakki half trouser and white shirt before the end of the Yatra.
The very presence of major Hindu community leaders during the launch ceremony of the Yatra has served as shot in the arm for the Kerala Hindus. People believe that this is going to bring a novel bright dawn in the political horizon of Kerala. BJP State President V Muraleedharan was present during the rituals held in Madhoor Ganapathi temple before the launch of the Yatra. He informed Vellapally that PM Narendra Modi would reach Kollam on December 15 for unveiling the statue of late R Shankar, former SNDP general secretary and former chief minister.
—T Satisan
