A political storm erupted in Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram, as RSS and BJP activists staged protests against Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi, following his sharp criticism of the Sangh Parivar. The controversy arose after Gandhi referred to the RSS as “poison” and warned of its influence on India’s secular fabric.
Speaking at an event marking the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s meeting with Sree Narayana Guru, Tushar Gandhi stated, “BJP can be defeated, but RSS is poison. If it spreads within our secular system, everything is lost. Political parties must remember their duty to protect India.” He later unveiled the statue of late Gandhian P Gopinathan Nair at the same event.
As protests intensified, Gandhi remained firm on his stance. Reportedly, he left the protest site while raising the slogan “Gandhiji ki Jai.” Addressing the media, he clarified that he would not pursue legal action against RSS-BJP activists. “There was no physical assault. They only stopped my vehicle, and I will not take any action,” he said.
Political Reactions
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned the protests, likening the mindset behind them to that of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassins. “Actions that violate freedom of expression cannot be tolerated in a democracy. Legal and democratic action will be taken,” he stated.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan called the incident a “shameful act for Kerala,” while KPCC president K Sudhakaran asserted that Kerala’s secular values would not forgive such protests. The CPIM’s youth wing also denounced the demonstration, branding the protesters as “traitors to the nation.” Their statement accused the RSS of continuing its vendetta against the Gandhi family, even decades after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.
The incident has ignited a fresh political debate over freedom of speech, secularism, and the ideological divide in the country.
