Vellappally Natesan Accuses Muslim League of Inciting Communal Tension, Challenges UDF on Social Justice
Alappuzha: SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan has once again launched a scathing attack against the Muslim League, accusing them of attempting to incite communal tension. During a press conference in Alappuzha, marked by a visibly angry response to journalists’ questions, Natesan asserted that the League’s malicious intent is to engineer another Marad riot if they were to return to power.
Natesan elaborated that the Muslim League is engaged in a sinister effort to pit the entire Muslim community against the Ezhava community, thereby establishing religious hatred, eroding religious harmony, and ultimately instigating communal conflict. He emphasized that his criticism was directed specifically at the League and not at the broader Muslim community. He reiterated his belief that the League and its leaders harbored the evil intention of creating further communal unrest reminiscent of the Marad riots, should they regain governmental authority.
During the fiery interaction with the media, Natesan questioned why he was being targeted. “Have I said anything to be hunted? It’s only now that I’m saying something. Why am I being slandered like this?” he asked. He further alleged that some individuals were twisting his statements to create religious hatred, possibly influenced by external payments, with mentions of trips to Dubai. Natesan challenged the distress expressed over his statement regarding the lack of schools and colleges in Malappuram for certain communities. He cited an instance where Kanthapuram had claimed to have educational institutions, suggesting Kanthapuram might have been misled, as only one unaided college exists for their community. In stark contrast, Natesan highlighted that the League reportedly controls 48 aided colleges in Malappuram.
He issued a direct challenge to the United Democratic Front (UDF), urging them to establish a commission to thoroughly study and survey whether social justice was truly implemented during their previous terms in power and to conduct a self-assessment. Natesan lamented that instead of acknowledging and addressing existing disparities, he was being unfairly branded as a religious bigot.
Natesan also reaffirmed his unwavering stance on the comments he had made concerning the Communist Party of India (CPI). He criticized the practice of publicizing internal governmental discussions, which he claimed led to widespread perceptions of disunity within the ruling front. This internal discord was attributed as one of the primary reasons for the Left front’s poor performance in the three-tier local body elections. Natesan urged the CPI to review their seat counts to grasp this reality. He underscored that the continued existence and strength of the Left front depend crucially on the support of the backward classes and scheduled castes. He expressed bewilderment as to why there was such a concerted effort to marginalize him, particularly when the very foundation of the Left’s support was seemingly being ignored. Vellappally concluded by stating that he would not reveal all the private conversations he had, some involving monetary transactions and handshakes.