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Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Kerala Community Leader Sparks Controversy Over Religious Demographics And Birth Rates
A prominent Kerala community leader has generated significant controversy by making provocative statements about religious demographics and their impact on the state's political landscape. Vellapally Natesan, a key figure in the Hindu Ezhava community, has drawn criticism for his remarks connecting birth rates to electoral representation and warning about potential changes in Kerala's religious composition. During a leadership gathering of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam in Kottayam on Saturday, Natesan made statements that have since sparked intense debate across Kerala's political and social circles. His comments addressed what he perceives as shifting demographic patterns and their implications for political influence within the state. Natesan expressed concerns about both major political coalitions in Kerala, claiming that the ruling Left Democratic Front and opposition United Democratic Front were providing preferential treatment to the Muslim community. He argued that these political alignments necessitated greater unity among Hindu communities to maintain their influence in state governance. The SNDP leader specifically addressed members of Kerala's largest Hindu caste group, suggesting that their collective action could determine electoral outcomes. He emphasized the potential power of unified community voting, stating that coordinated efforts could significantly impact who governs the state. His remarks included criticism of what he characterized as religious considerations influencing public policy decisions. Natesan referenced a recent educational controversy where extending school hours was discussed, citing objections from religious organizations about reducing holidays for traditional festivals as evidence of growing religious influence in administrative matters. The community leader invoked previous statements by former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan regarding potential demographic changes by 2040, suggesting that such shifts might occur sooner than anticipated. He pointed to specific examples from electoral constituencies to support his assertions about changing population patterns. Natesan drew attention to constituency delimitation changes in different districts, arguing that seat reductions in some areas contrasted with increases in others, which he attributed to varying demographic trends. He specifically mentioned Alappuzha district experiencing constituency reductions while Malappuram district gained additional seats. This recent controversy follows earlier statements by Natesan that generated criticism in April, when he made contentious remarks about Malappuram district during a convention speech. His previous comments characterized the Muslim-majority district in terms that many found divisive and inappropriate for public discourse. The leader's statements reflect ongoing tensions in Kerala's complex religious and political landscape, where community identities intersect with electoral calculations. His appeals to specific demographic groups highlight the sensitive nature of religious representation in state politics. These remarks have prompted responses from various political parties and community organizations, with critics arguing that such statements promote divisiveness rather than unity. The controversy underscores broader debates about secularism, demographic representation, and political mobilization along religious lines. The SNDP Yogam, which represents significant portions of Kerala's Hindu population, plays an important role in the state's political dynamics. Statements from its leadership often carry considerable weight in community discussions and electoral considerations. Kerala's diverse religious composition has historically been a subject of political attention, with various communities seeking to maintain their influence in governance and policy-making. The current controversy adds another dimension to ongoing discussions about representation, demographics, and political strategy in the state.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Kerala politician urges Hindu women to have more children, warns of Muslim majority
Prominent Hindu Ezhava community leader in Kerala, Vellapally Natesan sparked a row after he said that Kerala could soon become a Muslim-majority state, blaming Hindu women for 'reducing reproduction' and urging them not to do at a leadership meeting of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam in Kottayam on Saturday, Natesan claimed that both the ruling LDF and opposition UDF were aiding the Muslim community politically, and that Hindus needed to unite to protect their the Ezhavas unite, we can decide who should rule Kerala,' Natesan said, addressing members of the state's largest Hindu caste group. Criticising what he described as 'religious dominance' in public life, Natesan cited a recent controversy over extending school timings.'When the education department wanted to increase school timings based on a court order, Samastha (a prominent Muslim body) said the government could instead reduce Onam and Christmas holidays. Where is this country headed? This is no longer secular,' he also referred to former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan's remark that Kerala would become a Muslim-majority state by 2040. 'Doesn't look like we'll have to wait till 2040,' he added, noting demographic changes in electoral constituencies. 'In Alappuzha district, two seats have been reduced as Hindus reduced reproduction. In Malappuram, four seats increased as they increased reproduction. My dearest sisters, don't reduce reproduction,' he in April this year, Natesan had sparked another controversy during a speech at a convention in Kerala's Malappuram to the Muslim-majority district as 'a different country,' he said: 'I don't think you can live in Malappuram by breathing fresh air. I don't think you can live by even saying an independent opinion. Malappuram is a different country. It is a state of different people.'- Ends IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Congress appoints new Kerala unit president a year before polls: Who is Sunny Joseph?
A year ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, the Congress overhauled its state leadership on Thursday by appointing three-term MLA Sunny Joseph as its state president. Outgoing Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran had been sulking over reports that he would be removed and has to take solace from the fact that Joseph, his loyalist from Kannur, has succeeded him. The party has also appointed Sudhakaran, who put up a strong fight to retain his post, as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC). To ensure a balance in the representation of communities, Adoor Prakash who is the party's Hindu Ezhava face has been appointed the convener of the Congress-led United Democratic Front. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has also appointed young leaders Shafi Parambil, P C Vishnunadh, and A P Anil Kumar as the state unit's working presidents. Shafi is a Lok Sabha MP, while Vishnunadh and Anil Kumar, who are from the upper-caste Nairs and Dalit communities, respectively, are MLAs. They have replaced MP Kodikkunnil Suresh, MLA T Siddique, and former MP T N Prathapan. The Congress zeroed in on 72-year-old Joseph, the Peravoor MLA, at the end of a search for a leader from the Christian community to take the KPCC's reins, according to party insiders. In the past, the Congress in Kerala had a Christian face, starting with A K Antony and later Oommen Chandy, both of whom served as state chief ministers. With Antony having retired from active politics and Chandy passing away in July 2023, the Congress had been scouting for a state-level Christian leader at a time when a section of Christians are leaning towards the BJP. The disintegration of the regional Christian party, Kerala Congress, also led to fewer Christian faces in the UDF leadership, which has now shrunken to mainly the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League. Sudhakaran was appointed the state unit president after the party's rout in the Assembly elections in 2021. He had been facing heat within the party for failing to work in sync with the Leader of the Opposition, V D Satheesan, on crucial matters. Sudhakaran, who once claimed he stood guard for an RSS shakha, landed in several controversies that left the party and its allies red-faced. Besides, rivals within the party pointed out that health was not on Sudhakaran's side and that would have made it difficult for him to lead the fight against the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front. By accommodating the Kannur MP, the Congress wanted to ensure that it did not jettison the leader from the Ezhava community, traditionally known to be pro-CPI(M). The newly appointed KPCC president, who is a law graduate, will have his hands full, with a bypoll to the Nilambur Assembly seat pending and local body elections expected to be held within the next six months. Then will come the big test: preventing the Left from returning to power for the third straight term. Joseph, who is known to be close to the Church, particularly Catholic leadership, served as the president of the party district committee in Kannur. A vocal voice on farmers' issues, he has his task cut out in making the Congress battle-ready. A non-controversial leader, Joseph does not have a group behind him, and that is both his strength and weakness, according to party insiders. He will have to take several senior leaders into confidence to ensure a smooth sailing. The new state Congress chief is known for his oratory and will have to try and come out of his mentor Sudhakaran's shadow.
