Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan has sharpened his attack on Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam leader Vellapally Natesan saying his State-wide yatra has turned out to be a ‘Chaturvarnya protection yatra’.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Achuthanandan said outdated ‘Chaturvarnya’ was seen practiced in the inaugural programme of Vellapally’s much-publicised yatra that began from Kasargode on Monday.
“The head of the Pejawar Mutt, who inaugurated the yatra, did not hand over the flag to Natesan, who is an Ezhava, as if the seer touched the SNDP leader, he would be ‘polluted.’ That is why he refused to hand over the flag to Natesan and inaugurated the yatra by just lighting the lamp.
“That is a practice which would bring back the custom of ‘untouchability’ that was eradicated from Kerala through years of fighting. Natesan should reveal what his take on that matter is,” Achuthanandan said.
“It is the Pejawar Mutt that oversees the famous Sri Krishna Temple at Udupi, where the practice of Dalits rolling over leftover food eaten by people of the upper castes is observed. By bringing the head of that Mutt to inaugurate the yatra, Vellapally was holding a demonstration of untouchability and casteism.”
The Marxist veteran also criticized Natesan of neglecting the other figures like Yogakshema Sabha president Akkeeraman Kalidasa Bhattathiripad and G Madhavan Nair, former chairman of ISRO, who had joined Natesan in the yatra.
Earlier, Achuthanandan had said Natesan would begin his yatra in the traditional dress of the SNDP Yogam, but when he reaches the capital city he would be wearing khaki shorts and white shirt.
"And once that happens he would have a 'jalasamadhi' (death caused by drowning) in the beach at Shangumugham," said Achuthanandan.