GUWAHATI: A police investigation has been launched in Kerala following complaints over controversial remarks allegedly made by RSS leader T G Mohandas, in which he reportedly suggested that police should "open fire" on protesters and claimed that "gang rapes will happen" during demonstrations linked to the alleged NEET question paper leak.
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The remarks were made while discussing how he would have handled the protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where students and Opposition parties had demonstrated against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
In a video circulated online, Mohandas is purportedly heard saying, "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 open fire. Some may die, some may suffer disabilities. Within four hours, the situation will be calm."
In another part of the speech, Mohandas allegedly said, "Gang rapes will happen. In this case, there won't be any complaints as these are people who like being raped" while referring to protesters. The remarks triggered criticism from political leaders and organisations, who termed them offensive and undemocratic.
Following complaints from several political leaders and organisations, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered a police probe into the matter. The Home Minister's office said that Cyber Cell IG P Prakash has been tasked with investigating the complaints.
Among those who filed complaints, T T Jismon of the All India Youth Federation described the remarks as "obscene, inhuman and anti-democratic", alleging that they reflected an attempt to suppress peaceful protests through violence.
The Indian National Congress also demanded immediate action against the RSS leader over the remarks.
According to media reports, Mohandas later said that his comments were "satirical" and "hypothetical" after facing widespread criticism, alleging that short clips of his speech had been circulated out of context.