Former Kerala DGP R Sreelekha Booked Over Rahul Gandhi Slur
Punalur Police register a case against BJP leader R Sreelekha for controversial comments comparing Rahul Gandhi's protest to drug-induced behavior.
The Punalur Police in Kollam Rural have registered a formal case against R Sreelekha, a former Director General of Police (DGP) of Kerala and current BJP leader, following a series of controversial remarks aimed at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The legal action comes after Sreelekha's public speech sparked a political firestorm in the state.
The Allegations and the FIR
The case has been filed under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to the First Information Report (FIR), the police allege that Sreelekha’s statements were an attempt to incite a riot within society. The charges stem from a speech delivered in Kollam where the former top cop took a sharp and personal swipe at the Congress leader's recent activities.
The Controversial 'Drug' Comparison
The heat intensified when Sreelekha commented on Rahul Gandhi's participation in a protest in Delhi. In her speech, she mocked Gandhi's use of the word ‘thandavam’ to describe the protest, claiming that a true Tandava is on a completely different level of intensity.
Sreelekha compared Gandhi's actions to the "frantic behaviour of someone who has consumed excessive amounts of drugs without any planning or control," describing his presence at the protest as a "spectacle." She further questioned the Congress party's integrity, asking if they had "no shame" in organizing a protest alongside what she termed as ‘cockroaches’ while simultaneously holding up the Constitution of India.
Home Minister Condemns 'Personal Insinuations'
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has strongly condemned the remarks, arguing that while political disagreement is a legitimate part of democracy, Sreelekha's words crossed a line. He stated that describing a democratic protest as a "drug-induced tandava" is not political criticism but a personal attack.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Chennithala emphasized that such language is unbecoming of an individual who once held the prestigious office of the DGP. He also pointed out the religious insensitivity of the comment, stating that it trivializes the Tandava—the sacred cosmic dance of Lord Shiva—by turning it into a "crude political insult."
"Rahul Gandhi ji can be challenged on his politics, positions, and arguments. But replacing political debate with baseless personal insinuations lowers the standard of public discourse," Chennithala remarked.
Questions Over Professional Conduct
Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, the Home Minister questioned the appropriateness of a former senior police officer using such language. He urged the public to reflect on the conduct of high-ranking officials after their retirement.
Chennithala demanded that R Sreelekha withdraw her statements and issue a formal apology. He further questioned whether those who have held high positions of responsibility remember the duties associated with their former roles when pursuing political interests, while also dismissing any suggestions that the police action was fabricated.