THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant development, the Nair Service Society (NSS) has announced its support for the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam, stating that it has “complete trust in the government.” This comes despite a previous period of strained relations between the organization and the state government over the Sabarimala issue.
The NSS Vice President, M. Sangeeth Kumar, made the announcement, saying, “What happened is in the past.
We have complete faith in the government.” He expressed hope that the government, which is organizing the event in collaboration with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), will uphold the rituals and beliefs associated with the Sabarimala temple.
The statement by the influential NSS is seen as a major boost for the state government and the TDB, which has been facing criticism from various quarters, including the BJP, over the event. BJP leaders have accused the government of commercializing faith and using the event as a political stunt ahead of upcoming elections.
In response, CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan has welcomed the NSS’s support, stating that the event has the blessings of everyone, including Lord Ayyappa. He reiterated the government’s stance that the Sangamam is a spiritual and cultural initiative aimed at uniting devotees.
The Global Ayyappa Sangamam, which is being held as part of the TDB’s 75th anniversary celebrations, is scheduled to take place at Pampa. The event is expected to attract devotees from around the world and has become a focal point of political debate in Kerala.
