Letter To President: Save University Campaign Seeks Withdrawal Of Padma Bhushan For Vellappally Natesan

Thiruvananthapuram: The Save University Campaign Committee has urged the President of India to withdraw the decision to confer the Padma Bhushan on SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan, calling the move unjust and inappropriate.

The committee submitted a formal memorandum requesting a reconsideration of the award.

In its representation, the committee alleged that granting a Padma award to Vellappally Natesan, who has been named as an accused in several criminal cases, including fraud, would be unfair and damaging to the credibility of the honour.

The memorandum also pointed out that Natesan had, in the past, publicly ridiculed and insulted the Padma awards, making the decision to honour him deeply contradictory.

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The Padma Bhushan was announced as part of the 77th Republic Day honours list, citing Vellappally Natesan’s contributions to social service and public life.

Following the announcement, Natesan stated that he would humbly accept the award and dedicate it to Sree Narayana Guru, whose teachings, he said, inspired his work.

However, the award has sparked widespread criticism in Kerala, particularly in light of Vellappally Natesan’s recent Islamophobic remarks, which drew sharp reactions from civil society groups and minority organisations.

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Several critics have questioned how an individual facing allegations of hate speech and criminal cases could be considered for one of the country’s highest civilian honours.

The Save University Campaign Committee has now called on the President to intervene and review the decision, arguing that Padma awards should reflect the highest standards of social harmony, constitutional values, and public conduct.