The recent nomination of C. Sadanandan, a Kannur-based Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala vice-president, to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu on July 12, 2025, has sparked widespread shock and debate across Kerala, reigniting memories of a violent 1994 conflict in Kannur.
The Hindutva leader took the oath on Monday.
The nomination was announced days after he was appointed BJP Kerala vice-president; it is hailed by the BJP as recognition of Sadanandan’s resilience after surviving a politically motivated attack that cost him both legs.
C. Sadanandan, a 61-year-old retired schoolteacher from Parinchery near Mattannur, was nominated under Article 80(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution for his social service contributions, joining nominees like public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and historian Meenakshi Jain.
The Indian Constitution provides for the President to nominate 12 highly distinguished individuals to the Rajya Sabha, for a six-year term, from fields such as art, literature, music, sports, culture, science, and law.
Sachin Tendulkar, Lata Mangeshkar, M.S. Swaminathan, Fali S. Nariman, Amrita Pritam, M.F. Husain, Mrinal Sen, Kasturirangan, Vyjayanthimala, Kuldip Nayar, and Sivaji Ganesan are a few among those who are nominated so far.
Sadanandan, once a member of the CPI(M)-aligned Students’ Federation of India (SFI) during his college days, joined the RSS in 1984 and rose to become the Kannur district sarkaryavahak. He contested the Koothuparamba Assembly seat for the BJP in 2016 and 2021, polling over 20,000 votes in 2016, and was involved with RSS-affiliated organisations like Bharatiya Vichara Kendram and the BJP’s Janmabhoomi publication.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an X post, praised Sadanandan, saying, “Shri C. Sadanandan Master’s life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. Violence and intimidation couldn’t deter his spirit towards national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are also commendable. He is extremely passionate towards youth empowerment. Congratulations to him for being nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rahstrapati Ji”
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.
