Protesters raise slogans against Tushar Gandhi in Kerala

A small group of people allegedly linked to the Sangh Parivar raised slogans against Tushar Gandhi at the end of a function he attended in Neyyattinkara on Wednesday evening, police added.

Thiruvananthapuram: A group of men, reportedly RSS-BJP workers has raised slogans against Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, urging him to withdraw a statement he had made against the RSS.

The police said the small group of people, allegedly linked to the Sangh Parivar, raised slogans against Gandhi at the end of a function he attended at nearby Neyyattinkara on Wednesday evening.

No case has been registered in connection with the matter, they said.

Visuals aired by TV channels showed a group of men raising slogans against Gandhi, urging him to withdraw his statement.

Gandhi arrived in Neyyatinkara to unveil the statue of the late Gandhian, P Gopinathan Nair.

RSS and BJP workers protested over Tushar Gandhi's remarks against the RSS during the event, according to TV channels.

In his speech, he said both the UDF and LDF, which have had a long history of fighting each other in the state, need to realise that another very dangerous and insidious enemy has entered Kerala--the RSS and BJP.

"The BJP we would be able to defeat, but the RSS is poison. And we have to be very cautious about it because if it spreads in the circulation system of our country, then all is lost," he added.

Gandhi further said the two political fronts in Kerala must be reminded that they have a responsibility to protect India, and whatever their political interests may be, is less important at this point of time.

He alleged the RSS is more dangerous than the British, claiming that while the latter sought to rule, the present danger is a threat to our existence.

"They (RSS) are trying to destroy the soul of the country. We should be fearful of that. Because if it (soul) is lost, everything is lost," Gandhi added.

He urged them to remain resolute in their decision to fight against these divisive forces.

Tension gripped the area as BJP-RSS workers shouted slogans and blocked Gandhi's car.

The protesters said the municipal ward was represented by the BJP and that Gandhi should withdraw his remarks against RSS.

However, Tushar Gandhi left after raising the slogan "Gandhiji ki Jai," affirming that his stance remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, Gandhi later said he will not initiate any legal action against the RSS-BJP workers.

"There was no physical assault. They stopped only my vehicle, and I will not take any action," he told a TV channel on Thursday.

Congress has rallied behind Gandhi, extending support to him on the issue.

Speaking to reporters in Kochi, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan alleged that the protest against Tushar Gandhi was an insult to Mahatma Gandhi and condemned it as a deplorable act of fascism.

"This cannot be tolerated, and the police and government should take stringent action," he said.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran MP issued condemned the incident.

"The communal forces that bury Gandhi while glorifying Godse have no place in Kerala's secular land," Sudhakaran said.

There was no response from RSS and BJP immediately.