‘Rape’ Remarks, Threats, Google Notice: Why TG Mohandas Is Now in Police Custody

New Delhi: Right-wing commentator and RSS ideologue TG Mohandas has been arrested by the Kerala Police over controversial remarks he allegedly made about students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak.   

What began with two videos posted on his YouTube channel, Pathrika, on July 24 and 25 has since turned into a police case, an investigation involving digital evidence, the RSS distancing itself from his remarks and demands from a women’s rights group for action against him.

The controversy centres on videos in which Mohandas allegedly made objectionable and threatening remarks about the students protesting at Jantar Mantar. In one of the videos, he spoke about what he would do if he were “in charge” of the protesters. He allegedly proposed imposing a curfew around the protest site, ordering the students to disperse and using force against those who refused.

In another part of the videos, he made remarks about sexual violence against women at the protest, including the claim that some women participating in the demonstration “like rape”.

The remarks drew widespread criticism, particularly because they targeted women participating in a student protest and included references to violence against protesters. Police have alleged that the videos were capable of disturbing public tranquillity and creating fear and unrest among those attending the protest.

Police case after complaint

The Kerala Police registered a case following a complaint filed by Advocate Abdul Khasim of the Young Democrats, Kerala. The case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act and the Kerala Police Act. The offences invoked include provisions relating to provocation with intent to cause a riot, circulation of false statements, rumours or reports, and causing nuisance through communication.

The police also sought the removal of the videos from social media platforms. The case did not remain limited to the original complaint. According to the police remand report, 20 complaints have since been received in connection with the matter.

RSS distances itself

As criticism over the videos grew, the RSS distanced itself from Mohandas’ remarks, making it clear that the statements represented his personal views and not the organisation’s position.

The development became significant because of Mohandas’ long association with the Sangh and his past links with the BJP in Kerala. The All-India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), a platform representing women, transgender and non-binary persons, has now sought further action from the RSS and BJP.

ALIFA writes to RSS leadership

In an open letter dated August 9, ALIFA wrote to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, demanding action against Mohandas over his remarks about the students and women at Jantar Mantar. The alliance described the statements in the videos published between July 24 and 26 as “violent, aggressive, and obnoxious” and called on the RSS and BJP to publicly condemn them.

ALIFA has also pointed to Mohandas’ past association with the BJP and Sangh organisations. According to the letter, he had served as Kerala BJP’s state convener of its Intellectual Cell and as a television spokesperson for the party. He was also associated with the Bharatiya Vichara Kendram and had managed Ayodhya Printers and Janmabhumi, the letter said.

The alliance has made four demands: a public and written condemnation of the remarks by the RSS and BJP; an end to any remaining organisational association or platform extended to Mohandas by Sangh Parivar organisations and publications; support for the legal proceedings against him; and removal of the videos from public circulation while retaining copies for the investigation.

ALIFA has asked the RSS and BJP to respond by August 14. It also referred to the RSS’ public statements on women and sexual violence, including its use of the term “Matru Shakti”, and questioned how those positions align with Mohandas’ remarks.

The police investigation then moved from the videos to the devices and accounts used to create and circulate them. Kerala Police took Mohandas into custody from his residence in Koovapadam in Kochi. He was later taken to the Thiruvananthapuram City Cyber Police Station, where his arrest was formally recorded around midnight.

The BJP criticised the arrest and questioned the police action, alleging that Mohandas was being targeted in a discriminatory manner.

Police seize phone, hard disk and other equipment

During a search at his residence in Mattanchery on Sunday, investigators seized his mobile phone, hard disk, modem and microphone, according to the remand report. Police said the devices were allegedly used in producing and uploading the videos. The equipment is to be produced before the court and subjected to forensic examination.

The police have also been tracing the administrator of the YouTube channel Pathrika, where the videos were posted. According to the remand report, Mohandas initially did not cooperate with the investigation and denied the allegations in the FIR. Police later claimed that he admitted to the offence after being questioned and confronted with evidence at the Cyber Police station.

The investigation is still at an early stage, and police have indicated that additional charges may be considered depending on the findings and digital evidence.

Google served notice

The investigation has also moved to the online accounts used to upload the videos. The Cyber Police have issued notices to Google seeking information about the registration and login details of the accounts used to post the videos, according to the remand report submitted before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Thiruvananthapuram.

Google was also served a notice under a provision of the Information Technology Act dealing with the circumstances in which an intermediary can lose its exemption from liability.

The provision states that such protection may not apply if an intermediary fails to remove or disable access to unlawful material after receiving actual knowledge of it or being notified by the government that its platform is being used for an unlawful act.

Why police want further custody

The police have sought 14 days of judicial custody, arguing that the investigation is still in its preliminary stages. The remand report says investigators need to question Mohandas further, collect additional digital evidence and examine the devices seized during the search. Police have also expressed concern that he could influence witnesses, tamper with or destroy digital evidence, or go into hiding if released on bail.

The report also mentions that Mohandas is an accused in cases registered at Arthungal and Kadavanthra police stations in 2017 and 2021 respectively.

What happens next?

The case has now moved well beyond the original videos. Investigators are examining the content of the posts, the accounts used to upload them, the devices involved and the wider circulation of the videos.

The seized electronic equipment is expected to undergo forensic examination, while police continue to trace the administrator of Pathrika and obtain information from Google.

At the same time, the political and organisational fallout continues. The RSS has already distanced itself from Mohandas’ comments, the BJP has questioned his arrest, and ALIFA has called for stronger action from both organisations. The next stage of the case will depend on the digital evidence gathered by the Cyber Police and the findings of the ongoing investigation.