Nair Service Society (NSS), powerful community organisation of (Hindu) Nairs have come out with strong challenge to CPM in connection with the derogatory comments and blasphemy against Vikhneswar, from A.N. Shemseer, CPM leader and Speaker of the state legislature assembly. NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair said that Shemseer’s comments pierced the hearts of the Hindu believes. He demanded Shemseer’s immediate resignation. Nair has called on to observe “Faith Protection Day” on August 2, 2023. The statement asked the believers to visit Ganapathi temples, worship and render prayers on August 2. And, NSS carries out a large scale namajapa yathra (people’s march rendering Ganapthi bhajans) in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital the same evening. Sukumaran Nair referred to Shemseer’s lauding of Islamic faith. He asked who said that there are houries in heaven; who has visited the heaven and seen them ?
Even though NSS called on its units to carry out the aforementioned programme, Hindu believers cutting across caste lines have participated in the programme throughout the state and metro cities in the country.
Hindu Aikya Vedi, an RSS-inspired organisation has lodged a complaint before the State Police Chief against Shemseer’s insulting remarks against Hindu faith. VHP and all other RSS-inspired organisations have been protesting against the Speaker’s remarks since the day one.
BJP state president K. Surendran demanded an apology from the Speaker. He alleged that Speaker tries to make religions polarisation in the state by appeasing the Islamic fundamentalists. He asked if Shemseer is bold enough to say that Allah is a myth. He added that if he says like that he would face dire consequences. He continued that Shemseer speaks the language of religious fundamentalists. He asked who authorised Shemseer to insult Hindu Gods. CPM is protecting Shemseer for appeasing the Islamic forces. Hindu is not a whipping boy of all. He criticised Congress for keeping mum in the matter. (Party spokespersons have been skipping the TV debates on the issue).
VHP state president Viji Thampi said that Hindus would not withdraw the agitation until Speaker moves out from the position he holds.
Meanwhile, Thushar Vellappilli, the NDA convener and the vice president of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP), the powerful community organisation of (Hindu) Ezhavas, met NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair. After the meeting, he told the media that Speaker has insulted the Hindu faith. He said, Hindus or NSS or SNDP or any other Hindu communities do not insult the faiths of Christians and Muslims. He stated that it is not right to insult the feelings of a section of the population. His father and SNDP general secretary Vellappalli Nastesan said that no one should insult the faith of others.
CPM has been leaving no stone unturned to protect Shemseer. Senior leader A.K. Balan asked NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair to withdraw his statement against Shemseer. Party state secretary M.V. Govindan supports Shemseer. He does not see anything wrong in the Speaker’s speech. He believes, Shemseer was only criticising the superstition.
As NSS stepped up its protests and BJP president Surendran criticised Congress’s silence, now Congress which have been keeping mum till date have come out with protests against the insult Shemseer has unleased against Hindu believers. V.D. Satheesan, the LoP and Ramesh Chennithala, the former LoP and former Home Minister, have told the media that Shemseer should not have hurt the feelings of the believers.
Speaker of the Kerala’s Legislative Assembly, insulted Hindu Gods and rituals describing them as mere myths. These superstitions are stumbling blocks to progress of the society. He made these remarks, a fortnight ago, while addressing school children, in the presence of Sister Dr. Vineetha, manager of famous St. Theresa’s College, Kochi. Shemseer insulted Lord Ganapathy. Ganapathy and Pushpaka Vimana (aeroplane depicted in Ramayana) have nothing to do with science. They are mere myths. The superstitions of Hindutwa will reverse the progress. These myths are not good for the age of Artificial Intelligence. He added that the incidents highlighted in Hindu Puranas do spread superstitions. He laughed at the notion of fixing elephant’s head on Ganapathi’s neck. Age of technology must be accepted. He called on the audience to ignore and reject the Hindu myths.
But, apparently, Speaker opted to avoid any comment about any other religions like Islam which he belongs to and Christianity. On the other hand, on previous occasions, of course, before taking over as the Speaker, he had praised the virtues of Islam and the legends they propagate, state the observers.
It is a pity that despite complaints lodged before several police stations against Speaker’s blasphemy no case has been registered so far.
Now, the situation takes new turns. It heads towards a 2018 – 2019-like atmosphere when the Hindu believers took to the street with namapajapa yathra when CPM-led government and CM Pinarayi Vijayan took all possible steps to bring undesirable ladies, with police escort, to Sabarimala hill temple for breaking the traditions prevailing there. Kerala witnessed massive Hindu awakening despite police atrocities and fake cases and at last Government had to bite the dust. Government had to state that there would not be any more attempt to bring ladies between the age of 10 and 50 to the temple.
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