Right-wing commentator T G Mohandas detained over controversial comments on NEET protesters

Kochi: Right-wing political commentator T G Mohandas was taken into police custody from his residence in Mattancherry on Sunday evening following widespread outrage over derogatory remarks he allegedly made in a YouTube video targeting students protesting the NEET paper leak in New Delhi.

A specialized team from the Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police Station, assisted by local police officers, arrived at Mohandas’ residence in Koovappadam to inspect his digital devices and gather technical details linked to his YouTube channel, 'Pathrika'. Officials stated that he will undergo detailed interrogation as part of the ongoing probe. Following a mandatory medical examination at a government hospital, Mohandas was transported to Thiruvananthapuram late Sunday evening amid slogan-shouting by his supporters.

The cyber police registered the case after complaints alleged that videos uploaded on Mohandas' channel on July 24 and 25 were explicitly designed to breach public peace, incite unrest, and instill fear among student demonstrators at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. In the footage, Mohandas allegedly claimed that the student gatherings could lead to incidents of gang rape, further asserting that no complaints would be filed because those attending "like rape" and that there were girls who "enjoy being raped". He also remarked that were he in authority, he would enforce a curfew and order security forces to open fire on non-compliant protesters, claiming the situation could be brought under control within hours despite deaths or severe injuries.

The police action has drawn sharp political reactions across the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the detention, with BJP state general secretary S Suresh characterizing the move as "highly condemnable" and discriminatory. Suresh accused the Kerala government of executing the detention on a holiday to divert public attention away from its alleged shortcomings in flood relief management and growing unrest in coastal areas. He further alleged that the state government was protecting individuals who had issued threats against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while targeting right-wing commentators.

Meanwhile, Congress leadership addressed earlier concerns regarding the timeline of the police response. Responding to queries about delays in taking Mohandas into custody after the initial FIR was filed, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal stated that proper investigative procedures must take their course. Venugopal remarked that RSS figures often act under the assumption of absolute impunity, adding that he maintained full confidence in the Kerala Police's capacity to take decisive legal action against such conduct. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala reiterated that law enforcement authorities acted strictly in accordance with the progress of the investigation.