Former Kerala DGP Jacob Thomas Joins RSS as Full-Time Pracharak, Citing Patriotism and Selfless Service
Kochi, September 30, 2025 – Jacob Thomas, a retired Director General of Police (DGP) from Kerala, known for his uncompromising anti-corruption campaigns, has announced his decision to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a full-time pracharak. The 1985-batch IPS officer, who retired in 2019 after a distinguished yet tumultuous 34-year career, will formally don the RSS's traditional Ganavesham uniform during the organization's Vijayadashami Padhasanchalan in Pallikkara, Ernakulam, on October 1, 2025.
In an interview Thomas praised the RSS for its unwavering patriotism and selfless service, stating, "They are truly patriotic, and I haven’t met any RSS cadre who thinks of personal gains." He credited the organization’s disciplined ethos and commitment to national welfare as the driving forces behind his decision. Thomas’s move comes during the RSS’s centenary celebrations, amplifying its significance as a testament to the group’s expanding outreach across diverse communities in Kerala.
Thomas’s association with the RSS began in 1997 during a visit to an RSS-run school near Mysore, where he was impressed by its focus on education and social service. Despite his high-profile roles, including heading Kerala’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau and serving as DGP, he maintained discreet ties with the Sangh, including interactions with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. After retiring, Thomas briefly entered politics, contesting the 2021 Thrissur assembly election as a BJP candidate, though he was defeated by his Congress rival.
"I have offered to serve as a full-time pracharak, leaving it to the RSS to decide how best to utilize my experience," Thomas said, emphasizing that his decision stems from a deep-rooted desire to serve India selflessly. Addressing past allegations of communal bias during his police tenure, he added, "Joining the RSS is my way of dedicating myself wholly to the nation." His role as a pracharak will involve full-time volunteer work, promoting the RSS’s Hindutva ideology and community service initiatives, aligning him with approximately 2,500 such missionaries nationwide.
The announcement has ignited fervent discussions online, with hashtags like #RSS100Years and #JacobThomas trending on X. Supporters view it as a bold move, with one post stating, "From fighting corruption to serving the nation with RSS—Jacob Thomas is a true patriot!" Critics, however, speculate it could be a strategic alignment with the BJP’s ecosystem ahead of Kerala’s upcoming local elections. The move also follows a pattern, as other retired Kerala DGPs, including R. Sreelekha and T.P. Senkumar, have previously engaged with Sangh Parivar affiliates.
Environmental groups and local activists have also noted Thomas’s history of supporting green causes, such as his vocal opposition to ecologically harmful projects during his tenure. "His commitment to public welfare aligns with the RSS’s service-oriented initiatives," said a Kochi-based activist, though some remain wary of the ideological implications.
Thomas, author of Confessions of a Swashbuckling Cop, which details his battles against systemic corruption, sees his new role as a continuation of his lifelong mission. "The RSS offers a platform to serve without personal motives. I seek no positions, only the chance to contribute," he affirmed. As he prepares to lead a contingent in tomorrow’s ceremonial march, Thomas’s transition from a decorated cop to an RSS pracharak signals a new chapter in Kerala’s socio-political landscape, likely to inspire both admiration and debate.
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