The reaction of those who are suppressed or discriminated against culminates in revolt and one cannot be blamed for such a situation, which is quite natural, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has said.
He was reacting to a reported speech by Yogam vice-president and his son Thushar Vellappally at Vengallur, near Thodupuzha, on Sunday that “Ezhava youths would become militants if their rights are not considered properly.”
‘Guide youth’
Mr. Natesan told The Hindu over phone on Monday that caste consideration arose when there was discrimination in the name of caste. He called for social justice for all. The youth should be led in a proper way. When it is denied, the suppressed will rise to demand social justice.
On IUML-NSS ties
On the reported comment by NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair at Ponkunnam in Kottayam on Sunday that no force could drive a wedge between the IUML and the NSS, Mr Natesan said Mr. Nair meant that the NSS was against the policies and not against a community. The two majority communities were opposed to the policies of those who did not represent the backward people in the Muslim community but acted as the proponents of the rich and influenced people in that community, he said.
Neglect alleged
Mr. Thushar Vellappally’s remarks were made at a function organised by the Thodupuzha union of the SNDP Yogam.
Mr. Thushar Vellappally said the coir, cashew, and toddy sectors, where Ezhavas were largely employed, were being completely neglected. If their rights are not considered, they would turn to become militants, he said.
Ezhava students remain educationally backward as their rights have been denied over the years. They are not eligible for government scholarships and other benefits. These are usurped by minority communities, he said.
A policy of destroying the educational institutions run by the community prevails now, he said.