Kerala SNDP leader stirs controversy; calls Malappuram 'separate nation'

Malappuram: Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, has made controversial remarks against the state's Muslim-dominated Malappuram district, calling it a "separate nation" or an exclusive "state of certain people".

The SNDP is an organisation that represents Kerala's large Ezhava community.

While addressing a convention of community members at Chungathara here on Friday, Natesan said that people belonging to the backward community are living under constant fear in Malappuram.

He charged that the community members could not even breathe freely here and were treated just as "voting machines".

"I think, you (community members) cannot live here speaking your independent opinion. Malappuram is a separate nation...or a separate state of certain people." He further said that was the reason for the continuing backwardness of the Ezhava people in Malappuram.

He sought to know whether the community members in Malappuram had received any benefits from the country's independence decades ago.

Barring the MGNREGA, in which field does the backward community members have significant representations, he asked during the address.

He also claimed that the Ezhava community members are suffering due to vote bank politics.

SDPI files complaint

SDPI Malappuram district president Anwar Pazanji has filed a complaint with the district police chief, demanding action against state Vellappally Natesan who made defamatory remarks about Malappuram district.

The speech delivered by Vellappally Natesan at Chungathara aimed at communal division and defamed Malappuram district and the people of the district. The complaint further said that a case should be registered against the speech made as part of a conspiracy and an investigation should be conducted.

With PTI inputs