'We have trust in govt, Congress, BJP not doing anything for believers'; NSS clarifies stand

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair said that the organisation has trust in the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government. He also welcomed the government's change in stance on the issue of faith.

"The government could have allowed women to enter Sabarimala. But they did not enforce women's entry. They kept traditions intact. The Congress has no clear stance on matters of faith. The BJP-led central government has also done nothing for believers," Sukumaran Nair said.

"We are not against anyone. We only oppose certain ideas. The central government's representative, the then Union Minister V Muraleedharan, had promised a law on Sabarimala, but what happened? Nothing. The Congress also cannot do anything. So if those who earlier created problems now try to correct them, I see no issue in agreeing with their ideas. There is no politics in this. Neither the BJP nor the Congress can act on this matter. Everyone knows Congress’s stand is not in favour of believers,” he said.

The NSS had sent a representative to the Global Ayyappa Summit organised by the Devaswom Board, signalling closer ties with the government. With Sukumaran Nair’s statement, the NSS is now openly seen as supporting the government on issues of faith. The NSS also stayed away from the parallel Ayyappa meet, which adds weight to this perception.

While the Global Ayyappa Summit faced criticism for low turnout, the government now hopes that the NSS stand will strengthen its position. How Congress will respond to this new alignment remains to be seen.