Navodhana Samrakshana Samithi (Renaissance Protection Forum) meeting held at Thiruvananthapuram
Kollam: The attempt of Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left front to revitalise the renaissance plank that was invoked to counter Sabarimala row in 2018-19 has been in a fix. With the exit of Kerala Mala Araya Maha Sabha from Navodhana Samrakshana Samithi (Renaissance Protection Forum) over the government's stand in the appointment of Sabarimala head priest, the future of renaissance pursuit in the state looks bleak. Notably, Kerala Mala Araya Maha Sabha general secretary PK Sajeev lashed out at the prohibitive attitude of the state government on the issue. Kerala Mala Araya Maha Sabha termed it as antithetical to renaissance.
The development comes at a time when the concluding ceremony of the constitution protection conferences inaugurated by CM Vijayan has been slated for January 26.
Not just Kerala Mala Araya Maha Sabha, but also many other organisations part of the forum have already left. Kerala Pulayar Mahasabha will boycott the event. The Cheramar- Sambavar Development Society (CSDS) and Akhila Kerala Cheramar Hindu Mahasabha have also cut their ties with the forum.
Fr Eugene Perera, who worked in the forefront of the Vizhinjam protests is the vice president of the forum. But clashes that erupted with the state government over the port issue has reportedly made Perera to step back.
During the launch of the forum, as many as 166 community and social organisations were part of it. Vellapally Nadesan was chairman and Punnala Sreekumar was its general convener. Later, Vellapally became the president when the forum obtained an organisational structure. But, later Punnala Sreekumar resigned and P Ramabhadran was appointed as the forum's general secretary. Several Christian and Muslim organisations were part of the forum during this period.