Congress councillor files complaint

K.S. Sabarinadhan, Congress councillor in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, filed a police complaint on Thursday, October 15, 2026 against BJP councillor R. Sreelekha over alleged derogatory remarks against Rahul Gandhi.

Sreelekha's alleged drug comparison

Sreelekha allegedly said Gandhi was displaying restlessness and frenzy when drugs in excess quantities enter the body, referring to his remarks likening Delhi protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation to a thandav.

“displaying the restlessness and frenzy when drugs in excess quantities enter the body and not a thandav”

Sabarinadhan calls it character assassination

Sabarinadhan said Sreelekha's comments were an attempt to demean Gandhi and tarnish his reputation. He stated political disagreement does not justify character assassination.

“Political disagreement does not justify character assassination”

Religious offense and party accountability

Sabarinadhan said distorting the sacred term thandavam by associating it with narcotics is vile and irresponsible, particularly from a former senior police officer and BJP State Vice President.

“It is both vile and irresponsible for a former senior police officer to distort the sacred term 'thandavam' by associating it with narcotics.”