Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], March 15 (ANI): BJP leader V Muraleedharan criticized Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, following his remarks about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Muraleedharan dismissed the claims made by Gandhi, stating that nobody had attacked or manhandled him.

He explained, 'Nobody attacked or manhandled him (Tushar Gandhi). He went to a place and tried to propagate complete falsehoods, so, naturally, people who were there, protested, it was not a planned protest...they felt that what he was saying was not the truth.'

Muraleedharan further compared the situation to another incident where the Kerala Governor was reportedly attacked. He stated, 'You compare it to the incident where the Governor was manhandled and no case was there...in Kerala, under Pinarayi Vijayan, when a Governor is attacked, there is no case, but somebody who claims to have a lineage of Gandhiji, comes and propagates something...then there is a protest, the case is registered.'

The BJP leader also accused Tushar Gandhi of using the situation for political gains. 'It is political propaganda...he is a person trying to get a Congress ticket...this time also, he tried...but he didn't get one,' he added.

Earlier, Gandhi's remark sparked protests from BJP and RSS workers over his alleged statement against RSS.

The incident took place near Neyyattinkara, rural Thiruvananthapuram yesterday night. Tushar Gandhi was unveiling the statue of Gandhiyan Gopinathan Nair at his residence near Neyyattinkara. While addressing the crowd Thushar Gandhi said that

'We can defeat the BJP. But the RSS is poison. And we have to be very cautious of it. Because if it spreads in the secular system of our country then all is lost. That is where these political parties should be reminded that they have a responsibility to protect CM'.

After his speech, and as he was about to return, RSS and BJP workers protested against him and blocked his vehicle.

BJP state general secretary Advt S Suresh has said in a statement that Tushar Gandhi insulted Mahatma Gandhi and Gopinathan Nair.

Suresh alleged that Gandhi was insulting Mahatma Gandhi and Gopinathan Nair, prominent Gandhian who earned the respect of everyone beyond politics and maintained good relations with all organizations including the RSS.

After the protests, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, ''The mentality of those behind this seditious approach is no different from the mentality of those who assassinated Gandhiji. This is condemnable. Actions that violate freedom of expression cannot be allowed in a democratic society. There will be legal and democratic action against such tendencies. Such acts should be isolated by raising public opinion throughout the society.'

He added, 'The Sangh Parivar attack on Tushar Gandhi is an attack on the secularism and democracy of the country. Tushar Gandhi shared the concern that the soul of the country is being infected with the cancer of communalism.' (ANI)