In 1959, during the ’Vimochana Samaram’ — a massive agitation that led to the ousting of Kerala’s first elected Communist government headed by E. M. S. Namboodiripad — the Christian Church and the Nair Service Society (NSS), a community organisation representing the Hindu Nair caste, played anchor roles.
Since the success of ‘Vimochana Samaram’, community organisations from both majority and minority groups have consistently sought to influence the state’s political trajectory, either directly or indirectly. And, Kerala’s unique demography has ensured that all major parties—including the Congress, CPI(M), and even the BJP—recognise the necessity of responding to the demands—and sometimes commands—of community leaders from the majority Hindu population as well as from Christian and Muslim minorities. Interestingly, “samadooram”(equidistance) became the official line adopted by most community leaders toward different political fronts in Kerala. However, whenever their stance leaned closer to one front, they justified it as “sharidooram” (right distance), presenting it as a tactical choice rather than a partisan tilt.
As things stand, NSS general secretary Sukumaran Nair’s latest “sharidooram” favours the Pinarayi Vijayan government. Nair praised the government’s decision not to enforce the Supreme Court–mandated entry of women into Sabarimala. He argued that, had the government wanted, it could have enforced the verdict, but instead it chose to keep the tradition intact. Nair also revealed that he has received certain assurances from the state government, while at the same time criticising both the BJP and the Congress.
This position is particularly notable given the events of 2018, when the Supreme Court allowed women of menstruating age to enter Sabarimala—a temple that traditionally barred them. The Pinarayi government’s immediate response was to enforce the verdict, even deploying police protection. The NSS, under Sukumaran Nair, emerged as the principal antagonist, spearheading widespread protests. Eventually, the government backed down from active enforcement, but the Left Democratic Front (LDF) paid a heavy political price in the 2019 general elections, where the Sabarimala controversy was cited as a major factor in its debacle.
Despite the government’s retreat, Nair continued to attack the CPI(M) on matters of faith and tradition. On polling day in the 2021 assembly elections, Nair remarked that people would vote for those who uphold secularism, democracy, social justice, and faith—values which, he argued, the LDF had failed to protect. Chief Minister Vijayan countered by asserting that Lord Ayyappan and all gods stood with those who did good for the people, namely the LDF. Despite Nair’s sharp criticism, the LDF returned to power.
During the Pinarayi 2.0 too, Sukumaran Nair took a confrontational stance on multiple occasions. One such occasion was in 2023, when Nair came up with strong criticism against Assembly Speaker A. N. Shamseer for the latter’s remarks perceived as dismissing Hindu beliefs as “myths” in favour of science. CPI(M) state secretary M. V. Govindan initially defended Shamseer, later clarifying that his comments targeted the NEP’s pseudoscience, not faith. CM Vijayan avoided direct confrontation, aligning with the party’s stance on scientific education.
Now, however, with elections looming, a shift in Nair’s position is evident. The NSS extended support to the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, a major conclave of Ayyappa devotees organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board under the LDF government. Following the event, Nair declared his “trust” in the LDF government on faith-related issues, particularly Sabarimala traditions. He simultaneously criticised the Congress for chasing minority votes and the BJP for failing to bring in legislation protecting Sabarimala’s customs.
Observers note that after its 2024 general election setback, the CPI(M)—often dubbed the “largest Hindu party” in Kerala—has been focusing on consolidating Hindu votes. The Ezhava community, its traditional stronghold, as well as a broader support from organisations like NSS remains central to this strategy. At the Sangamam, Vijayan notably arrived alongside Vellappally Natesan, leader of the SNDP, the Ezhava community’s organisation. Some observers note that, given the Vijayan government’s apparent strategy to consolidate its Hindu vote base ahead of the local body and assembly elections, Nair’s favourable comments and evolving stance are viewed as a significant success for the CPI(M).
Targeting opposition leader?
Notably, Sukumaran Nair’s remarks have created ripples within the Congress as well. Reportedly, serious discussions are underway within the party’s top leadership on reaching out to the NSS leadership for reconciliation. Interestingly, some observers believe Nair’s comments serve both as a warning to the Opposition leader and as an attempt to strengthen certain Congress leaders with chief ministerial ambitions, thereby indirectly challenging V. D. Satheesan’s position. Currently, all top contenders in the Congress for a future chief ministerial post in Kerala come from the Nair community.
In his initial years as Opposition leader, Satheesan often adopted a confrontational approach toward community organisations like the NSS. At times, he even asserted that the UDF could win without their overt support. Nair, in turn, lashed out at Satheesan, accusing him of disregarding the Nair community and failing to honour the support he had sought from them during elections. In contrast, the NSS gradually repaired its ties with Ramesh Chennithala toward the end of 2024, even inviting him to its headquarters after more than a decade.
Following Nair’s recent praise of the Vijayan government, Satheesan struck a conciliatory note, stating that the Congress and the UDF have no disputes with any community organisation, including the NSS. He told the media that if differences of opinion were to arise, they would be resolved, but at present no such issues exist.
When asked whether the Opposition leader’s positioning vis-à-vis organisations like the NSS had become crucial in light of Nair’s remarks, AICC general secretary (organisation) K. C. Venugopal said that neither the Opposition leader nor anyone else in the Congress would take a stance that disregards community positions. “One thing you must understand is that within the Congress, no one can take an isolated position. This is a national party, and it takes positions on the basis of national perspectives. In the state too, we function according to that. Individuals may have their own personal opinions, but when it comes to the party’s stand, it should be understood as the stand of the Congress Party and of the UDF,” he said, adding that the Congress has always maintained good relations with the NSS.
Nevertheless, Venugopal stressed that if there were any “miscommunications,” the Congress would try to resolve them. He also pointed out that, with respect to elections, Nair himself had made it clear that the NSS would continue to follow the principle of equidistance (samadooram) from all political fronts—a stance the party considers far less troubling than a confrontational sharidooram favouring CM Vijayan.