NSS terms Mannam Samadhi row ‘politically motivated’

Published 18 July 2026 · india

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

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. ”Although it is not customary to reopen Mannam Samadhi after it is closed in the morning, I personally instructed the security personnel to open it so that he could pay floral tributes,” he said. According to Mr. Nair, Mr. Gopi later entered the delegates’ hall while the budget session was under way. “As he was not a participant in the meeting, I pointed out that it was inappropriate for him to enter the hall.

He realised his mistake. He has since visited the NSS headquarters on several occasions,” he said. Responding to the Vice-President’s remarks, Mr. Nair pointed out that Mr. Radhakrishnan had visited the NSS headquarters before assuming office and had been accorded a warm reception. “He left without offering floral tributes at Mannam Samadhi and did not seek permission to do so,” he said. After assuming office as Vice-President, Mr. Radhakrishnan had expressed a desire to visit Mannam Samadhi. However, the request could not be accommodated because of mandatory security protocols, particularly the possibility of sniffer dogs being deployed at the site as part of advance security checks.

“Mannam Samadhi is maintained by the NSS with the same reverence as a temple. Inspection by dog squads is unacceptable at such a place,” Mr. Nair said. Referring to the visit of former West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, Mr. Nair said it had been cordial and that the former Governor had left without seeking permission to offer floral tributes. “These facts clearly show that the campaign alleging denial of permission to offer floral tributes at Mannam Samadhi is politically motivated,” he added.