In an apparent attempt to quell controversy, the Nair Service Society (NSS) has come out with a position statement on its approach to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and related issues.
The unprecedented step, which appears as the editorial in the latest issue of NSS mouthpiece Service , is in the wake of reported attempts of the BJP to rope in the support of community-based organisations, including the SNDP Yogam, as part of its political strategy in the State.
Headlined ‘NSS is not against any political party”, it rubbished some reports that the BJP was going to engage in talks with the NSS. Neither side has made any attempt in this regard.
“Moreover, even if such a demand was made, the NSS cannot, as it does not have a precedent in this regard.” While the NSS has its opinions and stance on political issues, it keeps equal distance from all political parties.
The NSS is for social justice in general and not for the benefit of the Nair community alone. Defining its identity as a social, cultural, and educational organisation, the article says the NSS does not claim that all members of the Nair community are its members.
“On the other hand, those belonging to all political parties and those do not have any political allegiance are also our members,” it said. Criticising the attempts to create an impression that the NSS was against the BJP and Hindu unity, it says that the NSS considers all political parties on equal footing and there is no reason for it to have animosity towards the BJP.
Hindu unity
“Hindu unity is necessary to protect the common interests of the Hindu community. But it should not pose a threat to other communities. Moreover, unity should not be through political intervention. And above all, there should be a basic change in the existing reservation policy which has kept the Hindu community emotionally divided as forward and backward,” it added.
Meanwhile, when asked whether the inclusion of the Nair community among the Other Backward Communities (OBC) will find a lasting solution to the reservation issue, general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair answered in the negative, pointing out that the issue was of social justice and justice for all.
