Unity of Nairs and Ezhavas essential: Vellappally Natesan

SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan in Alappuzha on Sunday (January 18, 2026) stressed that unity between Nairs and Ezhavas was the need of the hour, asserting that such collaborations would never infringe on the rights of other communities.

Addressing the media, Mr. Natesan clarified that he had never opposed Muslims, but was critical only of the communal tendencies within the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). On the occasion, he also launched a scathing attack on Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan.

“It is essential to bring together all communities, from Nayadi (Dalits) to Namboothiris (Brahmins). A divided Hindu society is not suited to the present era,” he said, accusing the IUML of deliberately creating rifts between various Hindu organisations. “I hold no opposition to the Muslim community and have always regarded them as brothers. What I oppose is the communal character of the Muslim League,” he added.

Mr. Natesan said his reference to Malappuram had been deliberately misinterpreted to portray him as communal, emphasizing that his criticism targeted only the communal tendencies within the IUML. He also announced that a meeting of the SNDP Yogam, involving all branch secretaries and office-bearers, will be held on January 21 in Alappuzha.

Pointing out that no major communal disturbances have occurred since the LDF came to power, he accused Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan of being inimical toward the Ezhava community. “There are many senior Congress leaders, like A.K. Antony, Ramesh Chennithala, and K.C. Venugopal. If any of them calls me communal, I will accept it. But what did Mr. Satheesan have before entering politics? He always speaks against the Ezhava community. Anyone attempting to divide the SNDP has eventually destroyed themselves,” he warned.

He further accused the United Democratic Front of keeping communal forces within its fold while attempting to brand him as communal. “The Congress lost relevance in Kerala not because of me, but due to their own actions. The Congress moves according to the whims of the IUML,” Mr. Natesan said.

On the question of cooperation with the NSS, he added, “What is wrong if the SNDP and NSS unite? Would that create a tsunami in this country? Those who need to cooperate must do so. Our society has reached a point where it can welcome such initiatives with open arms. That is our mission.”