Vellappally slams ‘double standards’; says religious politics rewarded while secular voices are cornered

BENGALURU: SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan launched a scathing attack on the current socio-political climate in Kerala, alleging a systemic bias where those who exploit religious sentiments are rewarded with cabinet berths, while those advocating for genuine secularism are branded as communal. Inaugurating the SNDP Yogam leadership conclave, Natesan condemned what he termed the blatant "double standards" governing the state's political discourse.

"There is a disturbing hypocrisy at play today," Natesan said. "When certain groups indulge in religious politics, it is packaged and accepted as secularism. But the moment the SNDP Yogam speaks up, it is immediately labelled as communal. We will not accept this double standard. We are not here to usurp anyone else's rights. If demanding the rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution and the law is considered communalism, then we will continue to do so."

Natesan attributed the relentless criticism directed at him and the Yogam to the organisation's evolution into an undeniable social force. He noted that there was a time when mainstream entities completely ignored the organisation, whereas today, vested interests routinely attempt to defame it for political leverage and financial gains.

Defending the organization’s track record, Natesan highlighted its financial transparency and growth, stating that Yogam's assets surged from ₹4.5 crore to ₹339 crore over the last three decades. He credited this growth entirely to the collective sweat and toil of its grassroots workers, adding that this very success has left detractors deeply unsettled.

The SNDP chief also demanded that the state government appoint a high-level commission to investigate the allocation of state benefits and assistance to various community organisations since the era of former Chief Minister R. Sankar. "Let the facts come out. Only then will the public truly understand who has been marginalised and who has reaped all the benefits," he challenged.

Turning his focus inward, Natesan issued a stern reminder to the organisation's cadre, emphasising that leadership is a matter of responsibility rather than mere status. He called for greater ground-level mobilization across local unions and branches, warning that leaders who fail to connect directly with the public cannot contribute to the organization's strength.