Kerala’s Opposition Leader, V.D. Satheesan, made a powerful statement on Friday (September 26, 2025), accusing the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led government of actively creating an environment conducive for communal forces within the state. He emphasized that the UDF is committed to its political mission of exposing what he termed “hypocritical bhakti groups” linked to the ongoing Sabarimala controversy.
Speaking to the media in Kannur, Satheesan clarified that while community organizations like the NSS and SNDP are free to choose their own paths, the UDF’s unwavering stance is to uphold and defend secular values without any compromise.
Sabarimala Stance: Questions for the Government
Satheesan directly challenged the State government with three critical questions:
- Is the government prepared to amend the affidavit it filed, which supported the violation of sacred rituals at Sabarimala?
- Will it withdraw the thousands of cases filed against participants in ‘nama japa’ prayers, NSS activists, and other political workers?
- Will it revoke all pending cases registered prior to the Global Ayyappa Sanghamam event?
He argued that the government’s “nine years of inaction have deeply disappointed devotees,” and the UDF sees it as its “duty to expose those who repeatedly offer grand visions for Sabarimala without delivering any tangible development.” Furthermore, he noted the organizational “collapse” of the Global Ayyappa Sanghamam.
Satheesan also sharply criticized the Devaswom Minister, pointing out the minister’s apparent excitement upon receiving a message from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath during the gathering. He provocatively asked how the CPI(M) would have reacted if a UDF minister had shown similar conduct, and how BJP workers themselves would perceive such an act.
Pinarayi Vijayan Under Fire
The Opposition Leader further accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of forming alliances with figures known for spreading hate speech, asserting that the CPI(M) is deliberately opening doors for the BJP and other right-wing elements to gain political ground in Kerala. “There is no doubt that Yogi Adityanath is a close friend of Pinarayi Vijayan,” Satheesan declared, vowing to unmask what he perceives as “communalism disguised as devotion.”
Upholding Secularism: No Compromise
Reiterating that the UDF has “no conflict” with organizations such as the NSS and SNDP, Satheesan affirmed the UDF’s respect for their autonomy in decision-making and commended the NSS leadership for “actively resisting communal infiltration.” He stressed that the UDF would unequivocally “oppose both majority and minority communalism.”
“We will oppose anyone who speaks communally, without fear or favor. We will never sacrifice our secular principles for short-term political gains,” he asserted, highlighting the UDF’s long-standing commitment to Kerala’s secular heritage.
Satheesan slammed the CPI(M) for its perceived opportunism, stating that after years of appeasing minorities before the last parliamentary elections, the party has now shifted its focus to appeasing the majority. He concluded that this demonstrates a clear “lack of genuine commitment to secularism.”
He also highlighted the “irony” of the CPI(M) previously vouching for the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)’s secular credentials, only to now embrace groups like the Indian National League (INL) that had once questioned the IUML’s secularism.
Referring to event flex boards for Sabarimala that featured only Mr. Vijayan and Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, omitting Lord Ayyappa, Satheesan dismissed the CPI(M)’s approach as a mere “political stunt veiled in false devotion.”
Satheesan firmly stated that the UDF’s stance on these crucial issues “will remain consistent, both before and after the upcoming parliamentary elections, and into the future.” He firmly believes that Kerala’s deeply secular foundation means both older and younger generations will stand united in defending constitutional values against divisive politics.