In a heartfelt gesture from Alappuzha, Kerala, Vellappally Natesan, General Secretary of the SNDP Yogam representing the Ezhava community, expressed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for honoring him with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award. Speaking exclusively to media on January 30, Natesan revealed his surprise at receiving such a high civilian honor, stating he never anticipated this recognition in his lifetime.
Natesan clarified that the Kerala state government did not nominate him for the award. ‘Someone must have gathered my biodata and forwarded it. I extend my sincere thanks to those individuals, especially Prime Minister Modi,’ he said in an interview with IANS. This acknowledgment underscores the central government’s appreciation for his decades-long contributions to social reform and community upliftment within the Ezhava community, one of Kerala’s largest backward classes.
Turning his attention to politics, Natesan launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of excessive dependence on the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). He described the League as an organized religious force that exploits divisions among Hindus for vote-bank politics. ‘This isn’t just a Muslim-majority area; Hindus form a significant population here too,’ he emphasized, referring to regions like Malappuram.
Natesan specifically criticized Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s potential prospects in Wayanad, asserting she would need support from Malappuram, which is under League influence. ‘There’s no doubt Congress is under the League’s control,’ he declared. He further alleged that when the United Democratic Front (UDF), led by Congress, came to power, they made ministerial appointments and department allocations from the party headquarters, bypassing the Chief Minister. ‘Oommen Chandy became CM in a similar fashion. The Chief Minister should handle such decisions, not religious entities. This undermines Kerala’s unity built on brotherhood,’ Natesan argued.
He accused the UDF of neglecting Ezhava community interests even after gaining power, refusing to grant a primary school in Malappuram despite repeated applications. ‘Claims that we didn’t apply are outright lies,’ he countered. In contrast, Natesan praised the current Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government for maintaining harmony and peace over its 9.5-year tenure. He pointed to the Marad riots during UDF rule as evidence of their failure, where significant loss of life and property occurred.
Natesan’s remarks highlight deepening communal and political fault lines in Kerala ahead of upcoming elections, positioning the Padma Bhushan as not just personal acclaim but a broader endorsement of his advocacy for marginalized communities.
