RSS leader’s remark on Pinarayi draws flak

A speech by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader from Madhya Pradesh, in which he declared a bounty of ₹1 crore for anyone who brings him Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s head, has created a flutter in the State.

Even as Mr. Vijayan chose to dismiss the threat in a Facebook post, there was all-round condemnation of the speech from various quarters.

The State BJP and RSS have distanced themselves from the Madhya Pradesh leader’s comments.

In the speech, RSS’s Ujjain Prachar Pramukh Kundan Chandrawat was heard saying: “I have enough property in my name. I will bequeath my property of ₹1 crore to anyone who is ready to behead the Kerala Chief Minister.” He further said: ‘‘Have you forgotten Godhra? When they killed just 56 of us, we sent 2,000 of them to the kabristan (graveyard). Now, the communists have killed 300 of us in Kerala. We will adorn Bharat Mata with a garland of three lakh heads.”

In his short response, Mr. Vijayan said: “I have seen the news that a Sangh Parivar leader in Madhya Pradesh has announced a reward for my head. The RSS has chopped off several heads. But that cannot prevent me from walking my way. I dismiss with contempt their death threats.”