Tushar Gandhi Faces Hindutva Fury for Criticizing the RSS

Thiruvananthapuram: Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, recently visited Kerala to commemorate the centenary of the historic Gandhi–Guru dialogue and to unveil a statue of renowned Gandhian leader K E Gopinathan Nair. However, his visit was met with hostility from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, who launched an aggressive protest after he rightfully exposed the divisive and violent nature of the RSS during the inaugural function in Neyyattinkara.

Tushar Gandhi’s Courageous Stand Against RSS Hate

During the event, Tushar Gandhi delivered a scathing critique of the RSS, unequivocally stating that the organisation was the root cause of the poison corroding India’s social fabric. He compared this affliction to cancer, an apt metaphor given the RSS's relentless efforts to undermine India's secular and democratic ethos. His powerful words struck a nerve with the Hindutva forces, who, unable to counter his truth with reason, resorted to intimidation and mob tactics.

RSS,- BJP Stage Protest and Intimidation Attempt

As Tushar Gandhi departed the venue, a mob of RSS and BJP members assembled to block his vehicle for nearly half an hour, chanting inflammatory and hate-filled slogans. Their objective was clear: to bully him into submission. They demanded that he retract his statement equating the RSS to cancer and issue a public apology. However, Tushar Gandhi refused to cave in to their bullying.

Instead of retreating, he confronted the Hindutva mob, calmly questioning their grievances. When they continued to parrot their demand for an apology, he stood his ground, asserting that he would never stop exposing the RSS's sinister agenda. Before returning to his car, he defiantly raised his voice with the resounding proclamation, "Mahatma Gandhi Ki Jai!'

Following the altercation, Tushar Gandhi remarked on the incident, stating, "If they had any understanding of freedom of speech, they would have never resorted to such an absurd protest.'

Political Leaders Slam RSS’s Fascist Tactics

The shameful attack on Tushar Gandhi drew sharp condemnation from political leaders, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan lambasted the RSS and BJP for their fascist tendencies, asserting that their actions posed a grave threat to India's secular and democratic framework.

"The RSS’s deep-seated hostility towards anyone who dares to challenge their ideology is a direct attack on democracy and freedom of speech. Such acts of intolerance will not be permitted, and the government will take stringent legal measures against these elements,' he declared. The Chief Minister also reminded the nation of the historical truth: the same ideology that fuels the RSS today was responsible for Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.

Furthermore, Pinarayi Vijayan assured that Kerala would never allow Hindutva fanatics to dictate terms or hinder the movement of dignitaries. He urged secular and democratic forces to unite against the RSS’s intimidation tactics, warning that silence in the face of their aggression would only embolden their authoritarian ambitions.

V D Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, also condemned the assault, stating, "Those who insult Tushar Gandhi are, in reality, insulting Mahatma Gandhi himself. The RSS-, BJP’s attempts to suppress dissent expose their undemocratic and violent nature.'

Several prominent citizens and civil society organizations, under the banner of Hum Bharat Ke Log, strongly denounced the targeting of Tushar Gandhi by RSS and BJP activists. In a powerful statement, they asserted: "This incident is just another example of the RSS-BJP’s larger pattern of intimidation, where prominent personalities like Tushar Gandhi are heckled, mobbed, trolled, and threatened. The fascist nature of the RSS-BJP is laid bare for all to see. Despite their relentless hate campaigns, Tushar Gandhi remains steadfast in his fight for communal harmony, following in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi. Meanwhile, the RSS-BJP continues to peddle hate, incite violence, and fuel divisive politics that threaten the very foundations of our democracy.'

Legal Action Against the Act

In response to this blatant act of hooliganism, the Neyyattinkara police acted swiftly, arresting five individuals associated with the Sangh Parivar's assault on Tushar Gandhi. Among those arrested were BJP councillor Mahesh from Neyyattinkara municipality, former BJP councillor Harikumar, and BJP,-RSS operatives Krishnakumar, Suraj, and Anoop. The police had voluntarily registered a case against them, demonstrating the state's firm stance against Hindutva terror.

RSS -BJP’s Dangerous Retaliation and Historical Parallels

Predictably, the RSS and BJP, instead of expressing remorse for their members' despicable behaviour, doubled down on their authoritarian instincts by demanding Tushar Gandhi’s arrest. Their response mirrors their shameful past—when their ideological forebears celebrated Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination at the hands of Nathuram Godse, an RSS-trained militant Hindu nationalist.

The RSS has long sought to erase its violent history and project itself as a nationalist force, but incidents like these continue to expose its true face. Their reaction to Tushar Gandhi’s fearless words is reminiscent of their historical disdain for Gandhi’s ideals of peace, pluralism, and communal harmony.

The attack on Tushar Gandhi underscores the RSS-BJP’s growing intolerance towards voices of dissent. Their goon tactics are designed to instil fear and silence those who oppose their divisive politics. However, Tushar Gandhi’s unwavering stand, coupled with the strong political and civil society response, sends a clear message: India will not be bullied into submission by right-wing extremists. With legal proceedings underway, this incident reaffirms the urgent need to protect freedom of speech and resist the RSS, -BJP’s attempts to turn India into a hate-driven autocracy.