In a poignant address to the Rajya Sabha on Monday, nominated member C. Sadanandan Master laid bare a harrowing chapter from his past, exposing the scars of political violence that have defined his life. Speaking during the thanks motion on the President’s address, the former schoolteacher turned BJP affiliate recounted how, 31 years ago, CPI(M) workers ambushed and savagely attacked him, leaving him reliant on prosthetic limbs.
Master, who has deep ties to the BJP and RSS, painted a vivid picture of the assault. He was returning from his uncle’s home after discussions about his sister’s wedding when assailants, lying in wait at a bus stop in a bustling market, grabbed him from behind, hurled him to the ground, and inflicted life-altering injuries on both legs. ‘They shouted political slogans as they struck,’ he said, his voice heavy with emotion, prosthetic legs propped visibly on his desk to underscore the personal toll.
The speech electrified the house, drawing sharp rebuttals from Kerala’s Left MPs, one of whom invoked house rules to demand the prosthetics be removed. Undeterred, Master challenged the hypocrisy of those preaching democracy and tolerance today while their past reeks of violence. ‘True democracy means debating ideas, not crushing opponents with brutality,’ he asserted, invoking his oath to the nation.
As a nominated member representing Kerala’s political landscape, Master’s intervention spotlighted the enduring menace of political thuggery in India’s democracy. He urged the house to reflect on how such acts erode societal fabric and undermine democratic ethos. Thanking the Chair for upholding parliamentary decorum, he concluded by reaffirming his commitment to non-violent discourse.
This raw testimony has reignited debates on political accountability, especially in poll-bound Kerala, where RSS-BJP narratives often clash with the Left’s dominance. Master’s story serves as a stark reminder that the price of dissent can be paid in blood, calling for a collective resolve against violence in politics.