NSS, SNDP views left unheard?

By Our Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM, NOV. 28. In spite of the wide publicity it draws, the ongoing dialogue between the organisational leadership of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and leaders of the clergy of a few Christian Churches, may not produce much positive results in enhancing the generally conducive communal relationship in Kerala in the long run, it has been pointed out.

At least, the general feeling among the leadership of the Nair Service Society (NSS) and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, who have time and again demonstrated their influence over dominant sections of the Hindu community, appears to be that the much-publicised dialogues have no relevance at all in Kerala's socio-political context. And it is not unlikely that they raise the pertinent question of whether the Bishops and other Christian leaders (who participated in the dialogues) endorsed the view that the Sangh Parivar represented the entire Hindu community in Kerala.

According to the SNDP general secretary, Mr Vellappally Natesan, (who was contacted over telephone) those who claim the representation of the entire Hindu community would have to address the basic reasons which have led to the schism in the community, before making such claims. As long as there are `melalars' and `keezhalars', no one could make claims for sole representation of the community.

``The results of the past elections are a clear pointer to the ground realities,'' said a senior leader of the NSS when contacted. "The reality in Kerala is much different from that of North Indian States," he pointed out saying that in spite of the divergence in interests, the relationship among different communities in the State remains `ideal' when compared to the situation in various parts of the country. "Not only that, the conflict between organisations like the NSS and the SNDP which represent different interests groups within the Hindu community is confined to policy matters like reservation." Referring to the conflict of interests among different sub sects among the Hindu community in some parts of the country, he said: "If they (Sangh Parivar) represented the entire community, the socio-political reality in Kerala would have been much different."

According to them, the outcome of such dialogues could have an influence on the relationship among different organisations who work among the same people, especially in the North Indian context. "Any move to call it a dialogue between the two communities or any attempt to dub it an effort in bringing peace between the two, especially in Kerala's socio-political context, would be a deceptive strategy," according to him.

What the NSS and SNDP leadership appeared to have left unsaid seems to be that those leaders of the Christian clergy (with whom they had always maintained the best of relationship) who participated in the dialogues, owe the common man an explanation whether they endorsed the view that these talks formed part of the dialogue between the two communities. Any move to endorse such claims would only undermine the fragile socio-political and communal equation which has ensured social harmony in Kerala's pluralistic society for long, they believe.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : NCM member lauds RSS 'stance'
Next     : No need for MLAs on expert panel on sand-mining:
           Mani