Wake Up Keralam Calls for Rejection of Vellappally Natesan’s Communal Statements
The people’s collective “Wake Up Keralam” has pointed out that the anti-Muslim and communal statements being repeatedly made in recent times by SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan are creating a serious social danger and amount to an insult to the State’s renaissance legacy. The collective has called upon the public to reject Natesan’s toxic and divisive remarks.
Read the full statement of the collective here .
Wake Up Keralam strongly condemns the recent communal statements made by Vellappally Natesan, which continue to vitiate the secular and harmonious atmosphere of Kerala.
For several years, Mr. Natesan has repeatedly made anti-Muslim remarks that seek to inject the poison of Islamophobia into the minds of Malayalis. His latest accusations against the Muslim League, a constituent of the United Democratic Front (UDF), appear to be part of a calculated attempt to undermine communal harmony and polarize society for political gain.
It is particularly regrettable that such statements have emanated from a person holding a leadership position in the SNDP Yogam, an organization founded by Sree Narayana Guru — the revered leader of the Kerala Renaissance who steadfastly opposed casteism, religious sectarianism, and championed the ideals of “One Caste, One Religion, One God for Man.” Furthermore, as the current Chairman of the Renaissance Committee constituted by the Government of Kerala and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award, Mr. Natesan carries a heightened responsibility to uphold the values of social reform, unity, and secularism. Democratic and progressive sections of society are rightly concerned that such a prestigious position may be misused to advance the agenda of communal and divisive forces.
Wake Up Keralam, a collective of democratic citizens committed to resisting communalism and caste-based divisiveness, unequivocally denounces these actions. We urge Mr. Vellappally Natesan to immediately withdraw his inflammatory statements and refrain from any further moves that threaten the religious harmony and social fabric of Kerala.
Kerala’s strength has always been its tradition of coexistence and mutual respect. Any attempt to erode this legacy must be firmly rejected in the interest of peace and unity.
The Statement was issued on behalf of “ Wake Up Keralam” by Prof. K. Sachidanandan, Prof. Sarah Joseph , K. Ajitha , Dr. Khadeeja Mumtaz and Sarat Cheloor
“A powerful call for unity and accountability. Communal narratives only divide society—voices like this remind us why standing for inclusivity and harmony is more important than ever.”