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

Referring to Mr. Gandhi's remarks likening the ongoing protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to a "thandav", Ms. Sreelekha allegedly said the Congress leader was “displaying the restlessness and frenzy when drugs in excess quantities enter the body and not a thandav.” She was speaking at a BJP event at Punalur in Kollam district recently.

Mr. Sabarinadhan, who filed a complaint with the District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram), said Ms. Sreelekha's comments were an attempt to demean Mr. Gandhi and tarnish his reputation. “Political disagreement does not justify character assassination,” he said.

"It is both vile and irresponsible for a former senior police officer to distort the sacred term ‘thandavam’ by associating it with narcotics. Regardless of political affiliation, such comments are entirely inappropriate coming from an elected representative. To me, ‘thandavam’ is a deeply revered expression of Lord Shiva’s divinity. Reducing it to a political insult has deeply hurt religious feelings. Since she is also a (State) Vice President of the BJP, the party leadership must clarify whether it endorses these statements. If not, they should direct her to issue a public apology," he said.