Kerala Devaswom Minister hails ‘constructive’ role of NSS, rejects BJP-RSS suggestion on Vavar at Sabarimala

Amid signs that the CPI(M) has succeeded in its efforts to engage the influential Nair Service Society (NSS) in Kerala, Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan has welcomed the community organisation’s support for the recent Global Ayyappa Sangamam organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).

Speaking to mediapersons in Kottayam on Wednesday (September 24, 2025), Mr. Vasavan said “the NSS is an organisation that adopts positions based on issues. It expresses its views and, on occasions, offers constructive criticism. It has never opposed the LDF government.”

He described the criticism raised by the NSS against the BJP and the Congress for their “non-participation” in the Global Ayyappa Sangamam as constructive. “The NSS has always taken a stance in favour of the development of Sabarimala, and there is no need to link this with the upcoming elections,” the Minister said.

Regarding the Sabarimala Samrakshanan Sangamam, a parallel event organised by Sangh Parivar outfits, Mr. Vasavan pointed out that the Pandalam Palace itself had lodged a complaint against one of the event’s speakers for allegedly making communal remarks.

“There is an intense effort to communalise a secular culture. The BJP and the RSS have suggested replacing Vavar Swami with the concept of ‘Vapuri’. Such a move is completely unacceptable,” the Minister said, adding that the existing system at Sabarimala would “continue unchanged.”