Priyanka Gandhi seeks probe into RSS worker's 'suicide'; Sangh denies allegations
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has demanded a full investigation into the suspected suicide of a RSS worker in Kerala, who, according to her, had made sexual abuse allegations against members of the organisation in his purported suicide note.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) denied the allegation and filed a petition to the police on Monday seeking a detailed probe into the death of the 26 year-old techie and the conspiracy to defame the organisation.
The police also have not named the RSS or its members in the FIR, nor has the deceased's family lodged a complaint against them so far.
Anandu Aji a software engineer, hailed from Thampalakkad in Kottayam district. He was found dead at a lodge in Thampanoor here on October 9.
"Anandu Aji alleged that he was abused again and again by multiple members of the RSS," Priyanka wrote on her 'X' handle.
Several pro-Sangh Parivar social media accounts have questioned the authenticity of the claims attributed to Aji.
According to Vadra, the Wayanad MP, Aji had clearly stated that he was not the only victim and that rampant sexual abuse was taking place in RSS camps.
"If true, this is horrifying. Lakhs of young children and teenagers attend these camps all over India. The leadership of the RSS must take immediate action and come clean," she said.
Priyanka added that sexual abuse of boys was as pervasive as that of girls. "The code of silence around these unspeakably heinous crimes has to be broken," she said.
Aji, who was an RSS activist, belonged to a family associated with the organisation. A day after his death, a scheduled post appeared on his Instagram account in which he held the RSS responsible for his death.
The post contained a 15-page letter, purportedly written by Aji, in which he accused a man named N M — reportedly close to his family — of sexually abusing him from a young age.
He also alleged sexual harassment during RSS camps by other people in the organisation without taking their names.
In the note, Aji said he had been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) due to the trauma of sexual abuse and claimed that several others within the RSS had similar experiences.
RSS Kottayam Vibhag Karyavah R Sanu on Monday submitted a petition to the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kanjirappally, seeking a probe into the death of Anandu Aji.
In the petition, Sanu stated that the allegations against the RSS were false, concocted, and devoid of any factual foundation.
"The RSS, being a patriotic socio-cultural organisation committed to the service of the nation, has absolutely no connection whatsoever with the tragic death of Anandu Aji," the petition said.
The RSS claimed that there was a deliberate and malicious attempt to implicate the organisation in the unfortunate incident, possibly as part of a larger conspiracy to malign and discredit its image in the public domain.
It further requested that the State Police be directed to investigate the authenticity and timing of the Instagram post.
"An independent and transparent probe will not only help bring out the truth behind the unfortunate death of Aji but will also ensure that innocent and reputed organisations like the RSS are not falsely dragged into controversies for ulterior motives," the petition stated.
Meanwhile, when asked about the case during a press conference, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said he had read reports about the incident and that necessary legal steps would be taken.
"In Kerala, legal steps are taken appropriately, and naturally, action will follow," he said.
Thampanoor police have registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation.
Police said Aji' family has not lodged a complaint yet.
"We are examining the Instagram post and verifying its authenticity. We are also probing whether anyone abetted the suicide," a senior officer said.
The police plan to record the statements of Aji's mother and sister. His father had passed away in an accident a few years ago.
"The family might raise their concerns when their statement is recorded, and further action will be taken accordingly," the officer added.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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