A political storm has erupted in Kerala after right-wing commentator and RSS ideologue TG Mohandas allegedly advocated the use of lethal force against student protesters during the recent nationwide agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak. His remarks, made during a discussion on the Pathrika YouTube channel, have sparked outrage across political circles, with student organisations accusing him of promoting violence and hate speech.
In the viral video, Mohandas said that if he were in charge of handling the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, he would first impose a curfew within a four-kilometre radius of the protest site and ask demonstrators three times to disperse. If they refused, he claimed he would order security personnel to open fire.
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“Some will die, some will survive, some will suffer grave injuries. Within four hours the situation will become calm. We will collect the bodies and take them to the hospital,” he said.
The controversy deepened after Mohandas made derogatory remarks targeting women protesters. He referred to them as “rape-loving women” and claimed there would be “gang rapes” without complaints because, according to him, certain Left-wing and secular supporters “like rape”. The comments triggered widespread condemnation on social media, with many accusing him of glorifying violence and making misogynistic statements.
However, Mohandas later defended himself, claiming the viral clips had been taken out of context from a longer 31-minute discussion. Speaking to NDTV, he said his remarks were hypothetical, satirical and intended to describe how authorities typically respond to violent riots rather than to advocate actual violence. He also argued that Malayalam humour and sarcasm had been misunderstood when translated into English.
Who Is TG Mohandas?
TG Mohandas is a Kerala-based author, political commentator and columnist associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Trained as both an engineer and a lawyer, he has also worked as a journalist, television presenter and social critic.
He previously served as the state convener of the BJP’s Intellectual Cell and held leadership roles in the RSS-affiliated Bharateeya Vichara Kendram. In 2012, he drew national attention after suggesting possible political cooperation between the BJP and the CPI(M) in an article published in the RSS-linked weekly Kesari, a proposal that sparked debate within both political camps.
AISF Seeks Criminal Action
The All India Students’ Federation (AISF), affiliated with the CPI, has lodged a complaint with the Kerala State Police Chief, demanding criminal proceedings against Mohandas. The student body alleged that his remarks amounted to incitement to violence and were an attack on the constitutional right to peaceful protest.
According to the complaint, publicly advocating the shooting of protesters cannot be protected as political speech and has the potential to spread fear, encourage lawlessness and incite violence. The AISF has urged the police to initiate appropriate legal action, arguing that Mohandas effectively called for student protesters to be shot dead.
The controversy comes amid heightened tensions over the alleged NEET paper leak, which has triggered widespread demonstrations across the country and intensified the political debate over the handling of the protests.
