Kerala: Suicide of 26-year-old sparks political row after IG post alleges sexual abuse at RSS camps
Thiruvananthapuram: The death of a 26-year-old man from Kottayam has triggered a major political controversy in Kerala after a scheduled Instagram post surfaced, in which the deceased accused Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activists of sexually abusing him during his childhood.
The deceased, identified as Anandhu Aji, a resident of Vanchimala in Elikulam grama panchayat, Kottayam, was found hanging in a room at Sangeetha Tourist Home, near the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, on Thursday, October 9. His body was cremated at his residence on Friday night.
The controversy erupted hours after Anandhu’s death when a detailed statement appeared on his Instagram account, which police said was pre-scheduled to go public after his death.
According to the Thampanoor Police, who registered a case of unnatural death, the post was drafted on September 8 and later edited on September 23, October 3, and October 4. The police confirmed that the message was scheduled for publication after his death.
In the post, which Anandhu described as his “dying declaration,” he alleged that he was sexually abused first by a person known to his family and later by individuals at RSS-run camps.
“I am having no ill-feelings towards anyone except for one person and one organisation. That organisation is RSS. I am experiencing a threat to my life caused by this organisation and that person,” the post read.
He stated that he had been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks and decided to end his life due to prolonged mental health struggles.
In his post, Anandhu named a man, referred to as “NM,” who lived near his old home, as the first person to have sexually abused him when he was between three and four years old.
He further claimed that he was later abused at RSS camps, writing “At the RSS camp also I was sexually abused. Never make any friends with anyone who is part of RSS. RSS is the one who walks with such poison. The real abusers.”
He added that the abuse occurred during ITC and OTC training camps, stating that “many were abused” and that such incidents were widespread in the organisation’s camps. “Many may not believe me because I have no proof,” he wrote.
Anandhu also mentioned feeling socially isolated, saying that several people who once interacted with him had distanced themselves in recent months.
Following the emergence of the post, the CPI(M) and its youth wing, DYFI, demanded a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
DYFI state secretary V.K. Sanoj said Anandhu’s statement “exposed the inhuman face of the RSS” and urged that those responsible be held accountable.
“Anandhu wrote before ending his life that the RSS is putting forward ideas and actions that should be kept away from. We must be vigilant so that our children do not end up in shakhas that teach hatred and inhumanity. The RSS criminals who killed Anandhu should be brought to justice,” Sanoj said in a statement.
The Ponkunnam Police, under whose jurisdiction Elikulam falls, said they were aware of the allegations but were “not jumping to conclusions.” They confirmed that Anandhu had been undergoing treatment for mental health issues.
According to Thampanoor Police, Anandhu’s whereabouts were traced following a missing complaint filed at the Museum Police Station. His mobile phone signal led investigators to the Sangeetha Tourist Home, where he was found dead.
Police officials said the incidents mentioned in Anandhu’s post appeared to relate to his native place, and the local police would examine the claims.
Local representatives in Anandhu’s hometown said they were unaware of any such allegations before the social media post surfaced.
Vanchimala ward member Suryamol said she learned about the accusations only after the post became public.
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Chhattisgarh govt enforces austerity measures, restricts foreign travel and cuts convoy vehicles
Raipur (PTI): The Chhattisgarh government on Saturday rolled out a set of austerity measures, including restricted use of convoy vehicles for the chief minister, ministers and heads of state-run bodies, besides curbs on foreign travel at government expense.
The state has decided to implement the cost-saving steps with immediate effect to ensure efficient management of financial resources and discipline in public spending, said a directive issued by Finance Secretary Rohit Yadav.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The order said that only essential vehicles should be used in the convoys of the CM, ministers and office-bearers of corporations, boards and commissions, while ensuring restrained use of other government resources.
It also directed departments to take steps for a phased conversion of all official vehicles into electric vehicles in order to promote the use of EVs.
As part of fuel-saving measures, expenditure on petrol and diesel for government vehicles should be kept to a minimum, the directive said.
Vehicle pooling arrangements should also be implemented for officials of departments travelling to the same destination, it added.
The order further stated that foreign travel of government employees at state expenses will be completely prohibited except under extremely unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, prior approval of the CM will be mandatory.
To reduce administrative expenditure, departments have been instructed to hold physical meetings preferably only once a month and encourage virtual and online meetings. Regular departmental review meetings should compulsorily be conducted through video conferencing, it said.
The government also stressed the need for energy conservation in its offices, directing that all electrical equipment, including lights, fans, air-conditioners and computers, must be switched off after office hours.
The directive will remain effective till September 30 this year.
Amid the war involving the US, Israel and Iran, Modi has suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of EVs, utilising railway services for parcel movement and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.
