Thiruvananthapuram, October 14, 2025 – The tragic death of 26-year-old software engineer Anandu Aji has plunged Kerala into a maelstrom of political acrimony, with the Congress party demanding that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) be explicitly named as an accused in the First Information Report (FIR) registered over his alleged suicide, citing explosive claims in his suicide note of harassment and ideological coercion by RSS members. Aji, a resident of Malappuram district and an active critic of the RSS on social media, was found hanging in a lodge room in Kozhikode on Sunday, October 12, leaving behind a note that has ignited a fierce debate over child safety at RSS shakhas and the organization's alleged pressure tactics on dissenters.
The FIR, lodged at the Kozhikode City Police Station under Section 174 of the CrPC (inquiry into unnatural death), currently omits any direct reference to the RSS, prompting sharp criticism from Congress leaders who argue it shields the organization from accountability. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K. Sudhakaran led the charge in a press conference on Monday, slamming the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for "diluting the gravity" of Aji's allegations and urging a time-bound, impartial probe by the Crime Branch. "Anandu's note isn't just a cry for help—it's an indictment of RSS's toxic ideology that harasses and silences critics, even driving them to death. Why is the RSS not named in the FIR? This is a blatant cover-up to protect saffron forces," Sudhakaran thundered, vowing statewide protests if justice is delayed.
Revelations from the Suicide Note: Abuse, Ideology, and Child Safety Concerns
Aji, employed at a private IT firm in Kozhikode and known for his vocal opposition to the RSS on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), reportedly penned a detailed suicide note and recorded a video message before his death. In it, he alleged sustained harassment by RSS affiliates, including threats over his online posts criticizing the group's "communal agenda" and pressure to join shakhas despite his reluctance. Most damningly, Aji raised alarms about "systematic abuse" of children at RSS camps, claiming he had witnessed or been informed of instances of physical and ideological indoctrination that left young participants traumatized. "They brainwash kids, force them into hate... I couldn't stay silent anymore," excerpts from the note, shared by family members, read, underscoring the engineer's internal torment.
Police sources confirmed the note's authenticity on Monday, with forensic teams analyzing the video for further leads, but initial investigations treat the death as a suicide pending autopsy results expected today. Aji's family, devastated and initially hesitant to publicize the note, has since backed the Congress's call for a deeper inquiry, with his elder brother telling reporters, "Anandu was brave but broken by their constant attacks. We want the truth, no matter who it implicates."
Priyanka Gandhi Joins the Fray: 'Full Probe into RSS Allegations'
The controversy escalated nationally when Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra weighed in on X late Monday, demanding a "full and fearless investigation" into the RSS abuse claims. "Anandu Aji's death is heartbreaking. His allegations of sexual abuse and harassment by RSS must be probed without fear or favor. No organization is above the law—justice for Anandu, now," she posted, tagging Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and amplifying the family's plea. Her intervention drew over 50,000 engagements within hours, fueling a hashtag storm (#JusticeForAnandu) and solidarity from Dalit and minority rights groups.
RSS and BJP Counterattack: 'Baseless Smears, Demand Independent Inquiry'
The RSS swiftly rejected the accusations as "fabricated and politically motivated," with state spokesperson R. Prasanth issuing a statement denying any involvement in harassment and challenging the note's credibility. "These dubious claims are a desperate ploy by Congress to malign our selfless service. We welcome a thorough, independent probe to expose the truth and hold the real culprits accountable," Prasanth said, pointing to Aji's "history of anti-RSS propaganda" as evidence of bias.
The BJP echoed the denial, with Kerala unit president K. Surendran accusing the Congress of "vulture politics" over a personal tragedy. "While we mourn Anandu Aji's loss and support a fair inquiry, the Congress is exploiting his death to settle scores with RSS. This is shameful—let facts emerge, not falsehoods," Surendran remarked at a Kochi press meet, urging the CBI to take over if local probes falter. The party has filed a counter-complaint alleging "defamation" against Congress leaders for disseminating the note without verification.
The LDF government, caught in the crossfire, has promised a "fair and expeditious" investigation, with Home Minister M.B. Rajesh stating in the assembly that "no stone will be left unturned," but stopping short of amending the FIR. CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan dismissed RSS links as "speculative," prioritizing mental health support for IT professionals amid rising suicides in the sector.
A Broader Shadow: IT Stress and Ideological Clashes in Kerala
Aji's case spotlights Kerala's burgeoning IT workforce—over 1.5 lakh strong—grappling with burnout, with 15 reported suicides in 2025 alone, per NASSCOM data. Yet, the ideological undercurrent, amplified by Aji's online activism against "majoritarian forces," has turned a personal crisis into a proxy war between secularists and the Sangh Parivar.
As protests simmer outside Kozhikode police station—Congress youth wing demanding FIR amendments—and RSS shakhas report heightened security, Aji's death underscores the perils of dissent in polarized times. With the probe's next phase slated for Wednesday, the question lingers: Will justice honor a young engineer's final words, or dissolve into partisan noise?
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