Former BJP Intellectual Cell Head Booked for Remarks on Jantar Mantar Protesters
The Thiruvananthapuram City Cyber Police have registered a case against T.G. Mohandas, a former head of the Bharatiya Janata Party's intellectual cell, over comments made in a YouTube video. The case pertains to statements in which he said he would have shot protesters at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, if he were in charge of the situation.
According to police, the case has been filed 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 provisions relate to provocation with intent to cause a riot, publication of statements likely to create fear or alarm and disturb public tranquillity, among other offences.
In the 30-minute video, Mr. Mohandas spoke about how he would have handled protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and other opposition groups against alleged irregularities in the NEET exam. He said, "I will impose a curfew in about a 4 square kilometre 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 remarks about women protesters, stating, "Gangrapes will happen. In this case, there won't be any complaints as these are people who like being raped. There are women who like being raped, especially leftists, secular, democratic and proletarians."
The videos triggered widespread criticism, with complaints filed against Mr. Mohandas by leaders of the Students Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Students Federation (AISF). The case is currently under investigation.
