Nair Service Society (NSS), powerful community organisation of (Hindu) Nairs have come out with strong challenge to CPM in connection with the derogatory comments and blasphemy against Vikhneswar, from A.N. Shemseer, CPM leader and Speaker of the state legislature assembly.
NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair said that Shemseer’s comments pierced the hearts of the Hindu believes. He demanded Shemseer’s immediate resignation. Nair has called on to observe “Faith Protection Day” on August 2, 2023.
The statement asked the believers to visit Ganapathi temples, worship and render prayers on August 2. And, NSS carries out a large scale namajapa yathra (people’s march rendering Ganapthi bhajans) in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital the same evening. Sukumaran Nair referred to Shemseer’s lauding of Islamic faith. He asked who said that there are hoors in heaven; who has visited heaven and seen them ?
Even though NSS called on its units to carry out the aforementioned programme, Hindu believers cutting across caste lines have participated in the programme throughout the state and metro cities in the country.
Hindu Aikya Vedi, an RSS-inspired organisation has lodged a complaint before the State Police Chief against Shemseer’s insulting remarks against Hindu faith. VHP and all other RSS-inspired organisations have been protesting against the Speaker’s remarks since day one.
BJP state president K. Surendran demanded an apology from the Speaker. He alleged that the Speaker tries to make religions polarisation in the state by appeasing the Islamic fundamentalists. He asked if Shemseer is bold enough to say that Allah is a myth.
He added that if he said that he would face dire consequences. He continued that Shemseer speaks the language of religious fundamentalists. He asked who authorised Shemseer to insult Hindu Gods. CPM is protecting Shemseer for appeasing the Islamic forces. Hindu is not a whipping boy at all. He criticised Congress for keeping mum in the matter. (Party spokespersons have been skipping the TV debates on the issue).
VHP state president Viji Thampi said that Hindus would not withdraw the agitation until the Speaker moves out from the position he holds.
Meanwhile, Thushar Vellappilli, the NDA convener and the vice president of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP), the powerful community organisation of (Hindu) Ezhavas, met NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair. After the meeting, he told the media that the Speaker has insulted the Hindu faith. He said, Hindus or NSS or SNDP or any other Hindu communities do not insult the faiths of Christians and Muslims. He stated that it is not right to insult the feelings of a section of the population. His father and SNDP general secretary Vellappalli Nastesan said that no one should insult the faith of others.
CPM has been leaving no stone unturned to protect Shemseer. Senior leader A.K. Balan asked NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair to withdraw his statement against Shemseer. Party state secretary M.V. Govindan supports Shemseer. He does not see anything wrong in the Speaker’s speech. He believes Shemseer was only criticising the superstition.
