Cyber Police Arrest T.G. Mohandas for Controversial Remarks on Jantar Mantar Protesters
The Kerala Cyber Police on Sunday (August 9, 2026) arrested T.G. Mohandas, a former head of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) State intellectual cell, in Kochi over his alleged inflammatory remarks about student protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and about women participating in protests.
Mr. Mohandas, described as a Hindutva ideologue, had made the statements in a YouTube video. In one video, he said that if he were in control, he would impose a curfew around the protest site, shoot at the protesters, and remove the bodies.
He was heard saying: "I will impose a curfew in about a 4-sq-km area around Jantar Mantar. Then I would announce thrice for the crowd to disperse. After that, I will shoot. People will scatter away and run for their lives. Some may die, some may suffer disabilities. Within four hours, the situation will be calm. Then I will collect the bodies and take them to hospitals."
In another video, he made offensive remarks about women, suggesting that leftist, secular, and democratic women who participate in protests "enjoy being gangraped." These comments triggered widespread public outrage.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) distanced itself from Mr. Mohandas's statements. K.B. Sreekumar, Saha Prantha Karyavah (South Kerala) of the RSS, said the comments were "his personal thoughts" and that Mr. Mohandas "is not an RSS official at any level." He added that the organisation does not agree with the views and that "such views should be condemned in every highest possible manner."
The videos led to significant public resentment, with youth and student organisations staging protest marches to Mr. Mohandas's residence and demanding legal action. Leaders from the Students Federation of India and the All India Students Federation filed complaints against him. The delay in police action also drew criticism towards the State government.
The Thiruvananthapuram City Cyber Police registered a case against Mr. Mohandas under Sections 192 and 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, and Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act. These sections relate to provocation with intent to cause a riot, publication of statements likely to create fear or alarm, disturbance of public tranquillity, and other offences.
A team of cyber police officers conducted searches at his residence in Mattancherry on Sunday afternoon. A police officer said Mr. Mohandas would be taken to Thiruvananthapuram for further proceedings.
The arrest comes amid broader concerns over hate speech and inflammatory statements by public figures. Legal experts note that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it is not absolute and must be balanced against public order and the dignity of individuals.
