An RSS official’s pronouncement of a bounty of ₹1 crore for the head of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has irked Left parties, which said the Centre chose to nurture the RSS’ violent methods.

They also demanded stern action against the RSS’ Ujjain Mahanagar Prachar Pramukh Kundan Chandrawat, who promised the reward.

“By this the RSS has reconfirmed that it spearheads the politics of violence and terror as has been clear in Kerala in the recent months,” a CPI(M) statement said.

The party’s Polit Bureau demanded that immediate action in accordance with law be taken by the State and Central governments. “The silence of the government is an endorsement that emboldens the RSS to issue such obnoxious threats,” it added.

‘True colours of the RSS’

CPI National Secretary D Raja said it is the Centre’s responsibility to curb RSS violence. “What is this RSS upto? Do they really think that they can always use violence to silence their opponents? Communists in the country have seen the oppression of even the colonial rulers,” Raja said.

He added that Chandrawat’s speech also reveals the true colour of RSS. “He says in the speech that three lakh Leftists will be killed. He also boasts how 2,000 Muslims were sent to kabristan (graves) in Gujarat. Strict action must be taken against such people,” Raja added.

Pinarayi nonchalant

Meanwhile, the Kerala CM on Thursday said he was not bothered by incident. “The RSS in the past has taken the heads of others but I have to move around and I will,” Vijayan said.

The RSS’ Kerala unit has condemned the statement, saying it has always “followed the policy of engaging in democratic forms of protests” and would continue to protest against the ruling CPI(M)’s attacks on its cadre. “The RSS never speaks in such a manner and we strongly condemn it,” Kerala RSS unit leader J Nandakumar said.

During a protest held in Ujjain on Wednesday, the RSS leader had said: “The Hindus no more have the zeal of Shivaji Maharaj. I announce ₹1 crore from my pocket to anyone who brings me the severed head of the Kerala Chief Minister...such traitors don’t have the right to live in this country.” On Thursday, Chandrawat reiterated his statement, saying, “The Leftist government of Kerala is murdering democracy. Those participating in RSS camps are being murdered.”