CM, Satheesan back Tushar Gandhi

T'puram: A day after RSS-BJP activists protested against Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Tushar Gandhi and detained him during the unveiling of Gandhian leader Gopinathan Nair's statue near Neyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the protest as "an assault on the secularism and democracy of the country."Gandhi was visiting Kerala to inaugurate the centenary of the Gandhi-Guru dialogue at Varkala Sivagiri and to unveil a statue of Gandhian Gopinathan Nair at Neyyattinkara. During his speech, Gandhi remarked that the soul of the nation is afflicted with cancer, and the Sangh Parivar is spreading it. BJP and RSS activists immediately protested, demanding an apology and claiming the event was taking place in a BJP-ruled ward. However, Gandhi refused to retract his statement. Protesters blocked his car and shouted slogans trying to prevent his departure. Gandhi responded with counter-slogans like "Down with RSS" and "Long live Gandhi" before leaving. Vijayan stated that the mindset behind the hostility toward Gandhi is not different from those who assassinated Gandhi. He said actions that suppress freedom of expression cannot be tolerated in a democratic society and promised legal and democratic measures against such actions. The CM stressed that attempts to obstruct the paths of national and international figures visiting Kerala will not be tolerated. Opposition leader V D Satheesan termed the incident as "a disgrace to Kerala and an insult to Mahatma Gandhi." Addressing the media on Thursday, Satheesan urged the state govt and police to take stringent action against the protesters."Thushar Gandhi stated that RSS and Sangh Parivar are a cancer spreading into the soul of India. What is wrong with that? Fascism is ruling the country, consuming its soul, and this is a political reality. The attackers insulted Gandhi for his remarks, but Kerala stands firmly with him. He will participate in more programs across the state in the coming days," Satheesan said.BJP state secretary S Suresh defended the protest, calling Gandhi's intentions ‘dubious.' He said Gandhi "insulted both Mahatma Gandhi and Gopinathan Nair by using the platform for third-rate politics" and described the protest as "a natural outburst of BJP workers." Neyyattinkara police have registered a suo moto case against the BJP-RSS workers for blocking and shouting slogans against Gandhi. Charges include Section 285 (danger or obstruction in public way) and Section 126 (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police say the accused will be taken into custody soon but granted station bail due to the bailable nature of the offences.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !