Kottayam, 19 July (H.S.):Nair Service Society (NSS) General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair has strongly responded to Kerala MLA K.B. Ganesh Kumar’s recent criticism of the organisation, dismissing his remarks on the functioning of the NSS and questioning his authority to speak on matters concerning either the organisation or the state government.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Sukumaran Nair defended the management of the Mannam memorial, saying the Samadhi Mandiram is opened whenever people formally request access. However, he said it was neither practical nor appropriate to keep the memorial open at all times. “It is impossible to leave the Samadhi Mandiram open and simply go home,” he remarked, rejecting Ganesh Kumar’s criticism over the issue.

The NSS chief also took exception to Ganesh Kumar’s public defence of Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan amid the ongoing controversy involving the community organisation. Sukumaran Nair questioned the MLA’s role in the matter, saying Ganesh Kumar was neither part of the government nor associated with the NSS. “Who is Ganesh Kumar to defend the Chief Minister? He is not a representative of the government or of the NSS,” he said, adding that he had nothing further to say on the issue.

Ganesh Kumar had earlier stated that, to his knowledge, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan had never insulted the NSS or any other community. The MLA said he had known Satheesan for many years and had never heard him make derogatory or offensive remarks against any community.

The Pathanapuram MLA had also criticised what he described as authoritarian tendencies within the NSS, saying no organisation should function in such a manner because “dictators eventually fall.” He urged the leadership to adopt a more respectful and compassionate approach instead of intimidation.

Ganesh Kumar further alleged that individuals who had once benefited from the support of his father, veteran leader R. Balakrishna Pillai, and himself were now working against him. Referring to his removal from the NSS Board of Directors, he said it was for society to judge whether the action had been fair and justified.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman