Kollam, 15 Oct (H.S.):

Youth Congress state vice-president Vishnu Sunil has lodged a complaint with the Kollam Rural Superintendent of Police against BJP councillor and former Director General of Police R. Sreelekha over her allegedly derogatory remarks against Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi.

The complaint seeks registration of a case, contending that Sreelekha’s statements were defamatory and went beyond the boundaries of political criticism. Vishnu said remarks of this nature against the Leader of the Opposition should be treated seriously.

The controversy arose from Sreelekha’s speech while inaugurating a BJP Janasabha programme at Punalur, where she criticised Gandhi’s agitation against the Election Commission.

Referring to Gandhi’s description of the protest as a “tandava”, Sreelekha allegedly compared his actions in Delhi to agitation caused by consuming narcotic substances.

“Rahul Gandhi calls it a tandava. But tandava is something on an entirely different level. What Rahul Gandhi is performing in Delhi resembles the frenzy caused when drugs enter the body,” she said.

Sreelekha also attacked Congress leaders and other elected representatives participating in the protests, accusing them of joining people she referred to as “cockroaches”.

“Misgovernance continues in the state. Meanwhile, ministers, MLAs and MPs have joined the cockroaches for an agitation. Congress has joined them, holding India’s Constitution. Have they no shame?” she allegedly asked during the speech.

In his complaint, Vishnu also argued that the reference to tandava hurt Hindu religious sentiments. He pointed out that tandava is associated with Lord Shiva’s powerful divine dance in Hindu mythology.

Comparing the sacred dance with a frenzy allegedly induced by excessive drug consumption was offensive to Hindu believers and their faith, the complaint stated.

Vishnu urged police to examine the speech and initiate appropriate legal action over the allegedly defamatory statements against Gandhi, as well as the remarks he said had wounded religious sentiments.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman