**Title:** Controversy Erupts as Ezhava Leader Warns of Muslim Majority in Kerala
**Meta Description:** Vellapally Natesan’s remarks on Kerala’s demographics spark debate, urging Hindu unity to counter perceived political shifts.
**URL Slug:** kerala-ezhava-leader-muslim-majority-controversy
**Headline:** Ezhava Community Leader Vellapally Natesan Raises Alarm Over Kerala’s Demographic Changes
In a recent leadership meeting of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam held in Kottayam, Vellapally Natesan, a prominent leader of the Ezhava community in Kerala, ignited controversy with his comments regarding the state’s demographic trends. He suggested that Kerala could soon become a Muslim-majority state, attributing this shift to declining birth rates among Hindu women and urging them to increase reproduction.
Natesan criticized both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) for allegedly supporting the Muslim community politically, emphasizing the need for Hindus to unite to maintain their influence in the state. “If the Ezhavas unite, we can decide who should rule Kerala,” he stated, addressing members of the largest Hindu caste group in the state.
Highlighting what he termed “religious dominance” in public life, Natesan referenced a recent debate over school timings. He pointed out that when the education department proposed extending school hours based on a court ruling, a prominent Muslim organization, Samastha, suggested instead reducing holidays for Onam and Christmas. “Where is this country headed? This is no longer secular,” he remarked.
Natesan also recalled former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan’s prediction that Kerala would become a Muslim-majority state by 2040, adding, “It doesn’t look like we’ll have to wait till 2040,” as he noted demographic changes in electoral constituencies. He specifically mentioned that in Alappuzha district, two seats had been lost due to reduced reproduction rates among Hindus, while Malappuram saw an increase of four seats attributed to higher birth rates in the Muslim community. “My dearest sisters, don’t reduce reproduction,” he appealed.
This is not the first time Natesan has stirred controversy. Earlier in April, he referred to Malappuram, a Muslim-majority district, as “a different country,” suggesting that expressing independent opinions there was challenging. His remarks have sparked significant debate about the intersection of demographics, politics, and community identity in Kerala.
As discussions continue, the implications of Natesan’s statements on communal relations and political dynamics in Kerala remain to be seen.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What did Vellapally Natesan say about Kerala’s demographics?**
A: Natesan warned that Kerala could soon become a Muslim-majority state due to declining birth rates among Hindus and urged Hindu women to increase reproduction.
