RSS distances itself from Hindutva ideologue T. G Mohandas’s controversial remarks on Jantar Mantar protestors

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has condemned the controversial remarks made by Hindutva ideologue TG Mohandas against student protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, which resulted in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel on July 26, Mr Mohandas threatened that he would “shoot” protesters at Jantar Mantar if he were in control. The former head of the State intellectual cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had said in another video that secular women participating in the protests “liked to be gang raped”.

RSS’s Saha Prantha Karyavah (South Kerala) KB Sreekumar said in a statement that Mr Mohandas’ comments on the recent protests were “his personal thoughts and he is not an RSS official at any level”. Mr. Sreekumar said he disagreed with the organisation’s views and “such views must be condemned in the highest possible terms”.

In a 30-minute video, Mr. Mohandas spoke at length about how he would deal with student protests by CJP and other major Opposition organizations against irregularities in the NEET examination. “I will impose a curfew in an area of ​​approximately 4 kilometers around Jantar Mantar. Then I will make three announcements and make the crowd disperse. Then I will open fire. People will disperse and run for their lives. Some may die, some may become disabled. The situation will calm down within 4 hours. Then I will collect the bodies and take them to hospitals,” he said.

“There will be gang rapes. In this case, there will be no complaints, because these are people who like to be raped. There are women who like to be raped, especially Leftists, secularists, democrats and proletarians. Now, if someone dies in the meantime, they will martyr that person,” he said.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had ordered a police probe into Mr Mohandas’ controversial remarks. The investigation was initiated following complaints filed by representatives of the All India Youth Federation (AIYF), Students Federation of India (SFI), Youth Congress and People’s Democratic Party. He had directed Inspector General of Police P. Prakash to investigate.

Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, while demanding that the government file a case against Mr Mohandas, pointed out that his controversial statements “reflect the Sangh Parivar’s desire to thwart dissent”.

Mohandas said the lyrics were ‘satirical, hypothetical’

After his comments sparked widespread protests, Mr Mohandas clarified that his remarks were intended to be “satirical” and “hypothetical”. He claimed short clips of his comments were taken out of context.