NSS terms Mannam Samadhi row ‘politically motivated’
The Nair Service Society (NSS) has dismissed claims of discrimination regarding access to the Mannam Samadhi as politically motivated. General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair clarified that security protocols and scheduling conflicts, rather than political bias, caused the issues for visiting dignitaries.
Why it matters
The incident reflects the intersection of religious organization management and high-level political optics in Kerala.
The Nair Service Society (NSS) on Saturday (July 18, 2026) rejected allegations that it had denied permission to dignitaries to offer floral tributes at Mannam Samadhi in Perunna, describing the controversy as part of a politically motivated campaign.
The clarification by NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair comes in view of criticism from Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Union Minister Suresh Gopi, who had alleged discrimination in granting permission to pay homage at the memorial of NSS founder Mannath Padmanabhan.
In a statement, Mr. Nair said no one had been prevented from offering floral tributes at the samadhi. Referring to Mr. Gopi’s visit, he said he had arrived at the NSS headquarters on a day when the organisation’s annual budget meeting was in progress.
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