From victim to voice: Sadanandan Master nominated to Rajya Sabha
On Sunday, nine years after that symbolic moment in Kasaragod, the Prime Minister gave Master's story national visibility once again—this time by nominating him to the Rajya Sabha. The announcement resonated deeply with lakhs of RSS members and sympathisers, for whom Master's resilience has long been a source of inspiration.
The 30-year-old victim of that savage assault did not surrender to intimidation. Known widely as 'Master' or 'Maashay', Sadanandan returned to teaching and public life on prosthetic legs and remained a determined opponent of the CPM in its strongholds like Kannur. He continued to champion the Hindutva cause but, importantly, stood firmly against political violence.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home
Home Fitness Hack
Shop Now
Undo
Now serving as the vice president of the BJP's Kerala unit,
Sadanandan Master
has consistently spoken out against the use of violence in political and ideological conflicts. 'The psychology of violence is that of action and reaction. I am a victim of political violence, and I have always maintained that in my individual capacity, I am willing to take on any role to end this violence,' he told The Times of India in 2016.
Master contested unsuccessfully on a BJP ticket from Koothuparambu in Kannur district in both the 2016 and 2021 Kerala assembly elections. Yet, for 31 years, he has lived with the scars of the assault that changed his life. In that 1994 attack, his limbs were severed and crushed on the road to prevent surgical reattachment—leaving him in agony but undeterred in spirit.
Live Events
The PM's nomination of Sadanandan was not the only gesture on Sunday that stirred celebration within the broader ideological circle. Historian Meenakshi Jain, too, was named to the Rajya Sabha—an appointment that signals Modi's continued support for voices that challenged established Left narratives.
Jain has been one of the few academics to confront the dominant Marxist interpretation of Indian history, often facing resistance and ridicule in elite academic circles. But she found a following among Hindutva thinkers and supporters for her work on the destruction of temples during the medieval period—an area often ignored by mainstream scholarship. Her works, including Flight of Deities and Rebirth of Temples, The Battle for Rama: Case of the Temple at Ayodhya, and Rama and Ayodhya, reflect the persistence with which she pursued her research interests.
Also nominated was
Ujjwal Nikam
, the public prosecutor best known for securing the death penalty for Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11 case and for arguing the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case. Though not directly linked to the RSS, Nikam's selection appears to honour individuals whose work aligns with national interest as understood by the Modi government.
Likewise, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a career diplomat and former foreign secretary during Modi 2.0, was also nominated. Shringla was once seen as a frontrunner for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 elections, but the party ultimately chose to retain the sitting MP. While the PM deferred to that decision at the time, Shringla evidently remained on his radar.
Sadanandan Master's life—from a Leftist background to becoming a dedicated RSS karyakarta—epitomises resilience and quiet service. His nomination to the Rajya Sabha serves as a recognition not only of personal sacrifice but of steadfast commitment to ideology and democratic engagement—even in the face of extreme adversity.
With inputs from ToI
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
21 minutes ago
- Indian Express
More Indian students choosing Europe for higher education
While Indian students heading to foreign universities have declined across the top three destination countries – Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom – member states of the European Union are seeing a steady rise in the number of Indians travelling to pursue higher studies. Canada witnessed a 32% drop, with permits falling from 2.78 lakh to 1.89 lakh, the United States saw a 34% decrease, with F1 visas dropping from 1.31 lakh to 86,110 between fiscal years 2023 and 2024. The UK on the other hand recorded a 26% reduction with sponsored student visas issued to Indians decreasing from 1.20 lakh to 88,732 during the same time period. This reduction has come in the backdrop of tightening immigration measures including introduction of caps on student intake and restrictions on dependent visas. On the other hand, Indian students travelling to EU member states for higher education have risen by close to 80% in the last five years. From close to 50,000 students in 2018, the number has jumped to over 90,000 in 2023-24. While 56,255 students headed to foreign universities in the EU member states in 2018-19, this number jumped to over 90,000 by 2023-24. The figures for 2019-20 and 2022-23 were 66,385 and 84,736 respectively. According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as of January 1, 2024, over 11.6 lakh Indian students were studying in higher education institutions abroad. While the top three destinations accounted for 31% of Indian students collectively, EU member states accounted for 8% – a figure that has steadily been rising. 'Europe is an attractive destination for Indian students because it offers diversity of programs and a richness of cultural experience. Already 90,000 Indian students are studying in Europe…this speaks for itself. With the EU India bilateral relations with India going full steam ahead, more opportunities for people to people contact will be created,' European Union Ambassador Herve Delphin told The Indian Express. Europe has over 4,000 higher education institutions and 17.5 million tertiary education students (including college and vocational courses). It has close to 1.35 million educators and 1.17 million researchers. EU member states also offer the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's degree (EMJMD), a scholarship awarded on a competitive basis to select students which covers tuition fee, travel costs and living allowance. Since 2004, 50,000 students have got the scholarship grant. Among those who got the grant is 23 year old Arch. 'I was in no mood to go abroad. So, I applied to get admission in PG course in India through CUET. But that was way too competitive – to a damaging extent. Bacho ka dil toot jaata hai (kids get their heart broken because of the exam). I studied from a private university in Gujarat… I decided to take a gap year,' she told The Indian Express. 'I took a gap year for the scholarship because it's so competitive and at the same time prestigious. I was elated when I found out that I got in. I'm going to Poland and Ireland for a Masters in psychology under the Global Minds programme,' she said.
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
What S Jaishankar said after meeting President Xi Jinping in China
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first visit to China since ties between India and China soured in 2020. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping, in Beijing, China.(X/@DrSJaishankar) Sharing a picture from the meeting, Jaishankar wrote on X that he spoke to Jinping about the development of India-China bilateral ties and also conveyed greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to him. 'Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard,' a part of Jaishankar's tweet read. The external affairs minister was accompanied by his counterparts from the SCO member nations when he met Jinping. S Jaishankar is currently visiting China, his first to the neighbouring country since tensions sprung up due to the Galwan Valley clash along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 2020. Before Xi Jinping, Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing, and also urged dialogue between India and China. As neighbouring nations and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important. I look forward to such discussions during this visit," Jaishankar had said. Ties between India and China began to significantly improve last year in October, following a meeting between PM Modi and President Jinping on the sidelines of a summit in Kazan in October 2024. "I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory, " said Jaishankar. After the crucial meeting in Kazan, India and China had announced plans to disengage troops in Depsang and Demchok, the two fashpoints in Ladakh where the Indian and Chinese armies clashed since 2020. Jaishankar's visit to China is part of his two-nation visit, the first one being in Singapore that he recently wrapped up. He will also hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Wang Yi while in China.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
24 minutes ago
- First Post
Beyond Nimisha Priya: 10,000 Indians in foreign jails, 49 facing death sentence
Nimisha Priya death row: The government data shared in Parliament show that thousands of Indians have been found on the wrong side of the law. At least 49 face death penalty. read more Nimisha Priya, from Kerala's Palakkad district, was arrested in 2017 and later convicted for the murder of her business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi. Image courtesy X With over 10,000 Indians currently imprisoned in foreign jails, including 49 facing the death penalty, the harsh reality of overseas legal entanglements continues to challenge Indian diplomacy and test the limits of government intervention. From allegations of petty crimes to serious offences including murder and drug trafficking, Indian nationals abroad face legal systems vastly different from India's, often without adequate legal support or diplomatic recourse. The case of Nimisha Priya: A stark example Among the most urgent cases is that of Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala sentenced to death in Yemen for the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi. After reportedly drugging Mahdi to retrieve her passport, which he had seized, the situation escalated fatally. Priya, along with a Yemeni accomplice, allegedly dismembered the body and hid it in a water tank, the PTI reported. Convicted in a trial conducted under Yemen's Sharia law amid a brutal civil war, her appeal was rejected in 2023, and execution is scheduled for July 16, 2025. The Indian government has admitted its hands are tied due to the lack of diplomatic relations with the Houthi-controlled Yemeni administration. Despite efforts including informal negotiations and engaging influential locals, the situation remains grim. The only remaining hope lies in 'blood money', a provision under Sharia law that allows the convict's life to be spared if the victim's family accepts financial compensation. However, this process is strictly private, and the Indian state cannot directly intervene beyond facilitating contact. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A pattern beyond a single case Priya's case, while extreme, is not isolated. As of March 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that 49 Indian nationals were facing death sentences in eight countries. This includes 25 in the UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia and others in Kuwait, Indonesia, Qatar, the US and Yemen. The reasons range from murder, drug trafficking and espionage to economic crimes, and in some cases, even religious violations in highly conservative legal jurisdictions. For example, several Indians executed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in recent years were convicted of drug-related offences, the MEA informed the Rajya Sabha in March this year. A legal limbo Indian diplomatic missions abroad consistently walk a fine line. While they are mandated to provide legal and consular support, including jail visits, arranging interpreters and helping with appeals or mercy petitions, the host country's sovereignty always takes precedence. In cases like Yemen, where the central authority is fragmented and India lacks formal recognition of the de facto rulers — the Houthis — in this case where even these basic interventions become near-impossible. Moreover, many Indian nationals often lack legal awareness, face language barriers and are unable to afford effective representation. In conflict zones or authoritarian regimes, fair trials and due process are not always guaranteed. It's disproportionate in the Gulf The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which host large Indian migrant populations, particularly blue-collar workers, see a disproportionately high number of legal cases involving Indians. The UAE alone has over 2,500 Indian prisoners, with 25 on death row, the highest among all foreign nations, the MEA said. While the UAE government does not publicly release execution data, Indian authorities rely on informal channels to track developments. Often, these legal issues arise from labour disputes, identity theft, smuggling or violent altercations under stressful working conditions. In some cases, convictions have stemmed from being at the wrong place at the wrong time or falling into the trap of illegal networks. Execution: Malaysia to Saudi Arabia Between 2023 and 2024, multiple Indians were executed in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Malaysia, with at least three executions reported in each of the first two nations in 2024 alone. In 2023, five Indians were executed in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, highlighting how quickly legal decisions can escalate to capital punishment in these jurisdictions. While India has a strong record of advocating for its citizens abroad, it has no leverage to overturn criminal verdicts in sovereign countries. The government can support legal appeals, coordinate with NGOs and facilitate mercy petitions, but the final decision lies with the host country's judiciary or head of state. Accountability of vulnerabile? These troubling cases underline the precarious situation of Indian nationals abroad, especially migrant workers and low-income expatriates who often lack access to legal resources. Although the government asserts that the 'safety, security, and well-being' of Indians overseas remains a top priority, the sheer scale of cases — over 10,000 prisoners globally — makes individual intervention a monumental task. In addition to formal diplomatic mechanisms, community-led initiatives, such as the Save Nimisha Priya – International Action Council, have played a crucial role in raising awareness and facilitating on-ground negotiations. These groups help circumvent bureaucratic delays and create direct lines of communication with families, local authorities and even informal power holders like tribal sheikhs in Yemen. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The way forward To reduce such instances, there is a growing call for stronger pre-departure awareness programmes for Indian migrants, particularly those going to countries with strict legal systems. Educational campaigns about local laws, cultural norms and legal rights could serve as a first line of defence. Furthermore, there is a need for bilateral legal aid treaties, expedited consular access, and designated legal defence funds to ensure that Indian nationals are not left to fend for themselves. India's expansive diplomatic presence provides the necessary infrastructure to lead such reforms, but political will and sustained funding are crucial. The plight of Indians like Nimisha Priya reflects the dark underbelly of global migration, where dreams of better lives sometimes end in legal nightmares. While the Indian government continues to assist and intervene where possible, the reality remains that sovereign law takes precedence abroad. As more Indians seek opportunities overseas, equipping them with knowledge, legal support, and institutional backing is not just a diplomatic responsibility, it is a humanitarian imperative.
