President nominates Kerala BJP veteran C. Sadanandan Master to the Rajya Sabha
The BJP reckons Mr Sadanandan Master a 'living martyr' after he lost both his legs in a suspected Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] attack in 1994. The lower primary school teacher had contested as the BJP candidate from the Koothuparambu constituency in the 2021 Kerala legislative Assembly elections.
Mr Sadanandan Master had served as the president of the National Teachers' Union and is an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh think tank, Bharatiya Vichara Kendram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sadanandan, who lost both legs in political violence, nominated to Rajya Sabha
1 2 3 Kozhikode: President Droupadi Murmu nominated Kerala BJP state vice-president and a victim of political violence in Kannur, C Sadanandan, to Rajya Sabha on Sunday. Sadanandan, 61, a retired teacher from Parinchery in Kannur, had lost his legs at the age of 30 in an attack by CPM cadres in 1994 when he was RSS Kannur sarkaryavahak. Sadanandan continued to be active in RSS and BJP, walking using prosthetic legs. He contested as a BJP candidate from Koothuparamba assembly constituency in 2016 and 2021. In his congratulatory message shared on X, PM Narendra Modi said Sadanandan's life was the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. "Violence and intimidation couldn't deter his spirit towards national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are also commendable," he said. Sadanandan expressed happiness over the nomination and said that Modi gave a hint in a telephonic conversation on Friday. "It's a decision which would provide strength to Kerala and party activities in the state," he said, adding that he viewed the decision as part of the party's efforts for realization of the concept of 'Vikasitha Keralam' the party has put forward before the people of Kerala rather than a message against political violence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo "Let us view those days as a nightmare and forget it. There are several party workers like me who were maimed and had to live the rest of their lives bearing the sufferings. Also, there are many mothers and widows who have lost dear ones. Such an atmosphere remained in Kannur for decades. But we worked hard to end the culture of 'eye for an eye' and it was a tolerance of sorts. As a result of that, there is now peace in Kannur and I want it to continue forever. So, I don't want it to be affected even with a word," he told reporters. The assault on Sadanandan, who came from a Communist family and was initially aligned with SFI before joining RSS in the 1980s, was allegedly to send across a warning to those who change sides and for setting up an RSS shakha at his village near Mattannur. On the night of Jan 25, 1994 when Sadanandan alighted from a bus at his village Uravachal, the assaulters grabbed him from behind, pinned him down and hacked off both his legs were and discarded them nearby. Sadanandan lay bleeding there for 15 minutes before police arrived. Though his severed legs were collected and rushed to the hospital, reattachment surgery was not available. Though he lost both his legs, his life could be saved. At the time of the brutal attack, Sadanandan was working at Kuzhikkal LP School in Kannur. Within hours, SFI activist K V Sudheesh was killed by RSS assailants in retaliation near Koothuparamba. Sadanandan later resumed his teaching career at Sri Durga Vilasam HSS at Peramangalam in Thrissur, retiring in April 2020. He also served as state president of Deseeya Adhyapaka Parishad. He had formally joined the RSS in 1984 and went on to serve in key roles including Sarkaryavah of Kannur district, Baudhik Pramukh of Kozhikode and Thrissur Mahanagar and later Vibhag Baudhik Pramukh of Ernakulam. Sadanandan is married to Vanitha Rani, a retired teacher. Yamunabharathi S is their daughter. By honouring Sadanandan's sacrifice, BJP brass aims to reinvigorate the cadre base in the state. Also, the decision is expected to bring the issue of political violence — which has left scores of people in Kannur either dead or maimed — to the national stage. His presence in Rajya Sabha is expected to provide a counter-narrative to allegations of political intolerance and erosion of democratic rights. Kozhikode: President Droupadi Murmu nominated Kerala BJP state vice-president and a victim of political violence in Kannur, C Sadanandan, to Rajya Sabha on Sunday. Sadanandan, 61, a retired teacher from Parinchery in Kannur, had lost his legs at the age of 30 in an attack by CPM cadres in 1994 when he was RSS Kannur sarkaryavahak. Sadanandan continued to be active in RSS and BJP, walking using prosthetic legs. He contested as a BJP candidate from Koothuparamba assembly constituency in 2016 and 2021. In his congratulatory message shared on X, PM Narendra Modi said Sadanandan's life was the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. "Violence and intimidation couldn't deter his spirit towards national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are also commendable," he said. Sadanandan expressed happiness over the nomination and said that Modi gave a hint in a telephonic conversation on Friday. "It's a decision which would provide strength to Kerala and party activities in the state," he said, adding that he viewed the decision as part of the party's efforts for realization of the concept of 'Vikasitha Keralam' the party has put forward before the people of Kerala rather than a message against political violence. "Let us view those days as a nightmare and forget it. There are several party workers like me who were maimed and had to live the rest of their lives bearing the sufferings. Also, there are many mothers and widows who have lost dear ones. Such an atmosphere remained in Kannur for decades. But we worked hard to end the culture of 'eye for an eye' and it was a tolerance of sorts. As a result of that, there is now peace in Kannur and I want it to continue forever. So, I don't want it to be affected even with a word," he told reporters. The assault on Sadanandan, who came from a Communist family and was initially aligned with SFI before joining RSS in the 1980s, was allegedly to send across a warning to those who change sides and for setting up an RSS shakha at his village near Mattannur. On the night of Jan 25, 1994 when Sadanandan alighted from a bus at his village Uravachal, the assaulters grabbed him from behind, pinned him down and hacked off both his legs were and discarded them nearby. Sadanandan lay bleeding there for 15 minutes before police arrived. Though his severed legs were collected and rushed to the hospital, reattachment surgery was not available. Though he lost both his legs, his life could be saved. At the time of the brutal attack, Sadanandan was working at Kuzhikkal LP School in Kannur. Within hours, SFI activist K V Sudheesh was killed by RSS assailants in retaliation near Koothuparamba. Sadanandan later resumed his teaching career at Sri Durga Vilasam HSS at Peramangalam in Thrissur, retiring in April 2020. He also served as state president of Deseeya Adhyapaka Parishad. He had formally joined the RSS in 1984 and went on to serve in key roles including Sarkaryavah of Kannur district, Baudhik Pramukh of Kozhikode and Thrissur Mahanagar and later Vibhag Baudhik Pramukh of Ernakulam. Sadanandan is married to Vanitha Rani, a retired teacher. Yamunabharathi S is their daughter. By honouring Sadanandan's sacrifice, BJP brass aims to reinvigorate the cadre base in the state. Also, the decision is expected to bring the issue of political violence — which has left scores of people in Kannur either dead or maimed — to the national stage. His presence in Rajya Sabha is expected to provide a counter-narrative to allegations of political intolerance and erosion of democratic rights.
Hans India
42 minutes ago
- Hans India
Construction of 13,000 ultra-modern stadiums to start soon, says Punjab CM
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday announced that the government will soon commence the construction of 13,000 ultra-modern stadiums across the state, with work on 3,083 already underway in the first phase. Addressing the media here, the Chief Minister said the government is focusing on promoting sports to positively channel the immense energy of the youth. He emphasised the aim is to instil a sporting culture in the state and steer young people away from the scourge of drug addiction. Mann said these stadiums will be instrumental in the promotion of sporting spirit across the state, especially at the village level. The Chief Minister criticised previous governments, stating that successive Congress and Akali-BJP regimes paid no attention to the development of sports infrastructure or youth employment. As a result, he lamented, drugs spread unchecked across the state, and the youth sank deeper into addiction. However, Mann highlighted that the state is now witnessing a transformation, thanks to the ongoing anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh, launched by the government. The Chief Minister said the supply chains of narcotics have been disrupted, and many young people are beginning to overcome addiction. The ultimate objective, he said, is to free Punjab's youth from the grip of drugs and make them a partner in the socio-economic development of the state. Mann praised the Punjab Police for their outstanding work in dismantling drug networks, something that previous governments failed to address seriously. The Chief Minister added that a comprehensive plan is now in place to connect the youth with sports and distance them from addiction. He said the state government has embarked on a historic mission to build modern sports facilities in every village of Punjab. Mann announced that around 13,000 villages will be equipped with high-quality sports grounds, and the first phase of the project has already commenced with 3,083 stadiums under construction.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Rijiju's remark on NE development is deeply problematic, exposes BJP's mindset: Congress leader
Manipur (Imphal) [India], July 13 (ANI): Congress leader Rajesh Kumar Sethi, National Coordinator of the AICC Minority Department and in charge of Manipur, on Sunday, criticised Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's remarks urging the people of the Northeastern region to be 'grateful' to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for basic development and job appointments. In his statement, Sethi termed the statement 'deeply problematic' and reflective of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 'patronising mindset' toward the Northeast. Sethi emphasised that providing roads, jobs, connectivity, drinking water, and security is not a favour but a Constitutional duty of the Prime Minister. 'Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's statement asking the people of the Northeastern region to be 'grateful' to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for basic development and job appointments is deeply problematic and exposes the BJP's patronising mindset toward the region. To set the record straight, the Prime Minister of India is not doing a favour to the Northeast; he is simply performing his Constitutional duty. Roads, jobs, connectivity, drinking water, and security are not gifts from the ruling party; they are entitlements of every citizen in a democracy,' he said. Highlighting the unresolved Naga Peace Accord, Sethi recalled Prime Minister Modi's 2015 announcement promising a resolution within months and his 'calculated silence.' 'If the Minister would care to recollect, in 2015, Prime Minister Modi pompously declared that a final Naga Peace Accord would be concluded within just a few months, at a time when only 3 or 4 groups were involved in talks. Today, nearly a decade later, the situation has only worsened. Instead of peace, we now have 28 groups in the fray, a dramatic escalation of complexity, confusion, and division. Is this the 'development' that the people of Nagaland or the region are expected to be grateful for? Or do we deserve a candid explanation of how a hastily promised solution has devolved into a prolonged and deepening crisis?' he questioned. 'At the same time, Manipur continues to bleed, and the Prime Minister has remained a silent spectator. Despite over 200 deaths, thousands displaced, and countless homes and churches burnt, PM Modi has not set foot in Manipur since the outbreak of violence. Can a region truly feel supported when its cries are met with calculated silence? Leadership is not about social media statements; it is about standing with your people in their darkest hours. Where was the PM when Manipur needed him the most?' he added in the statement. Drawing attention to Dimapur, a key economic hub in Nagaland, Sethi highlighted its current state of distress due to severe flooding and a 'complete collapse of basic infrastructure.' 'Meanwhile, in Dimapur, widely regarded as one of the key economic engines not just of Nagaland but the (Northeastern) region at large, the situation on the ground is deeply troubling. The city is at present reeling under the devastating effects of severe flooding and a complete collapse of basic infrastructure. Where is the gratitude supposed to come from when even basic governance is missing? The Congress Party has always believed in serving people, not seeking applause. We do not expect citizens to thank us for doing our job.' He called for rejecting the 'culture of manufactured gratitude' and demanded accountable, inclusive, and effective governance for the Northeast. 'We want people to question more, demand better, and receive what they deserve, not crumbs handed out with a photo opportunity. Let us reject this culture of manufactured gratitude. Let us demand accountable, inclusive, and effective governance instead,' he said. On Friday, Kiren Rijiju made remarks in Dimapur, Nagaland, during the Rozgar Mela event, where PM Modi distributed 51,000 appointment letters via video conferencing at 47 locations nationwide on Saturday. (ANI)
