Vellapally Natesan supports LDF on Sabarimala

Alappuzha: Bringing great relief to the beleaguered Pinarayi Vijayan government on the Sabarimala issue, Mr Vellapally Natesan has condemned the ongoing agitations against the Supreme Court verdict and said that they were aimed at bringing down the LDF government.

The SNDP Yogam general secretary lashed out at the BJP and the Congress and said, “it is not right to oppose the court verdict. We cannot support those opposing the government based on the court verdict. The people should abide by rules along with following rituals and customs. Unleashing violence in the name of Hindus is not acceptable. Both the BJP and the Congress have political motives. The BJP is playing vote bank politics. They are among those trying to destroy the Sabarimala temple,” Mr Natesan told reporters here on Tuesday.

He suspected that the protesting organisations were planning to launch a second liberation struggle. “The protesters have not held any discussions with other Hindu communities, including Ezhavas. The SNDP will not support the protests and will launch parallel protests and unmask the agitators if they do not back out. We will not accept unilateral decisions taken by a section of the Hindu community,” he said.

The Yogam felt that women should not go to Sabarimala. “Everyone should accept the Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple. But we can overcome the verdict by continuing the existing practice. Women should not visit the Sabarimala temple. A review petition has been filed and we will wait,” he said.

He urged the state government to invite various Hindu organisations for talks on the matter. “It was wrong on the part of the tantri and the royal family to decline the invitation by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for a conciliation meeting. They should have attended the meeting and conveyed their opinions. The Chief Minister has taken an open stand and he should invite all Hindu organisations for talks,” Mr Vellappally said.

He criticised devaswom board president A. Padmakumar for his handling of the matter. “He added fuel to the fire through his inconsistent stand. He should step down from the post,” Mr Natesan demanded.