NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair arrives at the venue of the 149th Mannam Jayanti celebrations in Perunna on Friday. | Photo credit: VISHNU PRATHAP
Nair Service Society (NSS) General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair reaffirmed that the organization will maintain its policy of equidistance from all political parties.
“We do not practice politics nor do we have any enmity towards it,” Mr Nair told reporters at the NSS headquarters in Perunna during the Mannam Jayanti celebrations on Friday.
Referring to the Sabarimala issue, he said the NSS had strictly followed the policy of maintaining “proper distance” and stressed that there was no need to politicize the issue.
At a meeting of Nair delegates on Thursday, Mr. Nair said that NSS will not be misused for political gain. He clarified that the organization’s decision to send a representative to the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, organized by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, stemmed from its moral responsibility to protect the customs and rituals of Sabarimala.
The 149th Mannam Jayanti celebrations were inaugurated by Cyriac Thomas, former member of the National Minorities Commission and former Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University. In his speech, Mr Thomas pointed to what he described as an organized attempt to undermine Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and called on the NSS to spearhead the trend.
“Mannam Samadhi is the most suitable place for such a call. The NSS cannot remain silent when Gandhi’s influence is deliberately obscured. If the NSS can lead another ‘liberation struggle’ to restore Gandhi’s ideals to the political sphere, not only Kerala but the entire nation will remain indebted to this organization,” he said. He also highlighted the role of community organization in protecting Sabarimala customs and rituals.
“The violation of rituals at Sabarimala happened with the knowledge and indirect support of the government. The NSS led protests against it by organizing prayer processions, even without any prior meeting,” added Thomas.
NSS President M. Sasikumar presided over the function. Writer Rajeev Alunkal delivered the Mannam Jayanti Commemorative Speech. Mr Sukumaran Nair welcomed the gathering while NSS Treasurer MV Ayyappan Pillai proposed the vote of thanks. The event was attended by leaders from the United Democratic Front (UDF), LDF and BJP along with MPs, MLAs, prominent personalities and NSS officials at various levels.
Published – 02 Jan 2026 20:01 IST
