Held for remarks against women protesters, Kerala political commentator gets bail

Kerala political commentator T G Mohandas was granted bail on Monday after being arrested on Sunday night for derogatory remarks against women protesters. Cyber police had initially sought his custody on Sunday but the court rejected it. Mohandas was booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for provocation for causing rioting, insulting modesty of women, and circulating false statements to cause public mischief.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar dismissed the arrest as a political vendetta and questioned its timing, suggesting it was an attempt to divert attention from the Congress government's current challenges. Mohandas made controversial remarks about handling the Jantar Mantar youth protest in Delhi, stating he would impose a curfew, announce dispersal three times, and potentially use force resulting in casualties within four hours.

The controversy has prompted opposition CPI(M) to allege that the state's Congress government is overlooking the case against Mohandas.