The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has distanced itself from controversial remarks made by Kerala-based Hindutva ideologue T.G. Mohandas, who said student protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar should have been shot if he had been in charge of handling the demonstrations.
The remarks, made in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel Pathrika, sparked widespread outrage, with opposition parties and student organisations demanding criminal action. The Kerala government has also ordered a police investigation into the statements.
Speaking about the month-long student protests over the alleged NEET examination irregularities, Mohandas claimed he would have imposed a curfew around Jantar Mantar before opening fire on protesters.
“If I were in charge, I would impose curfew within a four-square-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar. I would ask people to disperse three times. Then I would shoot. People would scatter, some would die, some would survive, and some would lose their limbs. Within four hours, the situation would be calm. The bodies would be collected and taken to hospitals,” he said.
Mohandas also described the protesters as “criminals” and alleged they would engage in murder and rape if police were withdrawn from the protest site.
In another controversial statement, he made derogatory remarks about women participating in the protests, claiming that “rape-loving women” were among the demonstrators.
“There are women and girls who like rape, especially among the left, democratic, secular and Bahujan groups,” he said.
The comments drew sharp criticism from political parties, student organisations and social media users, who accused him of inciting violence and promoting hate speech.
RSS Rejects Remarks
Following the backlash, the RSS issued a statement saying Mohandas’ comments were his personal views and did not reflect the organisation’s position.
K.B. Sreekumar, Saha Prantha Karyavah (South Kerala) of the RSS, said, “These are his personal thoughts and he is not an RSS official at any level. RSS does not agree with his views and such views should be condemned in the strongest possible manner.”
The RSS clarified that Mohandas does not hold any official position in the organisation.
Kerala Orders Police Probe
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered a police investigation after complaints were filed by several organisations, including the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Youth Congress and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
AISF also submitted a complaint to the Kerala State Police Chief, alleging that Mohandas had incited violence by publicly advocating the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters.
The student organisation argued that calling for security forces to shoot demonstrators was not protected political speech but amounted to criminal incitement and an attack on democratic rights.
Mohandas Calls Remarks “Hypothetical”
After facing widespread criticism, Mohandas defended himself by claiming his comments were taken out of context.
He said the remarks were “satirical” and “hypothetical,” alleging that short video clips had been selectively circulated on social media to create controversy.
Mohandas previously served as the convener of the BJP’s Intellectual Cell in Kerala and has held positions in RSS-affiliated organisations, including Bharateeya Vichara Kendram. He has also worked with Janmabhumi, a newspaper associated with the BJP.
The controversy comes after weeks of nationwide student protests over NEET paper leak and education-related issues, which ended following the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
