CM lashes out at NSS for 'double standards' on Women's Wall

: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Monday flayed caste based outfit NSS for its 'double standards' on the Women's Wall on January 1, saying they should introspect if it was right for an outfit,which was part of the renaissance movement, to join hands with RSS.

"Those who participated in the 'Ayyappa Jyothi' (lighting of traditional lamp) must self-introspect whether it is right for an organisation, which was part of the renaissance movement in Kerala, to join hands with the RSS.

This shows how true they are with their equi-distance policy. This shows their double standards," Vijayan told mediapersons here.

The Nair Service Society had declared its equi-distance policy, claiming it will maintain an equal distance from all political parties.

The had on December 26 supported the 'Ayyappa Jyothi', organized by Sabarimala Karma Samiti against the governments decision to implement the September 28 Supreme Court order, allowing women of all ages into Sabarimala.

The Samiti has RSS and Hindu Aiykya Vedi members in its fold.

Following the massive protests against the entry of young women to the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala, the government had decided to organise the 620 km long 'Women's wall' from the northern district of Kasaragode to the southern tip of Thiruvananthapuram on January 1 to demonstrate the state's "secular and progressive mindset".

The Chief Minister said the Constitution is based on secularism and those who oppose the verdict of the top court were opposing the constitutional and secular values and basic human rights.

He also questioned the motive of the NSS in opposing the 'Vanitha Mathil' (Womens wall) and asked how they could forget the efforts of NSS founder Mannath Padmanabhan, who had fought against changing various traditions prevailed in Kerala society.

"They are claiming that the fight was against changing the traditions. Can anyone forget the efforts undertaken by Mannath Padmanabhan in opposing certain traditions prevailing in society?