The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has condemned the “discriminatory” arrest of Hindutva ideologue T.G. Mohandas, which, the party claimed, is a “drama” intended to divert attention from lapses in flood relief operations and protest by the coastal community.

While acknowledging that Mr. Mohandas’s controversial remarks were unacceptable, BJP State general secretary S. Suresh was quoted as saying in a statement that several people in Kerala who had issued threats, including even threats to endanger Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were escaping legal action under the protection of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government.