The RSS, by design, has no formal membership system. There are no enrolment forms, fees, or identity cards that define one's association.
Published Oct 20, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 20, 2025 | 9:00 AM
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Synopsis: Kerala native Ananthu Aji died by suicide a few days ago. In his final notes and video message, he stated that he took the decision after being unable to bear the trauma caused by the sexual assault he had faced in RSS camps as a child. However, the RSS distanced itself from the perpetrator, even though locals say he had been an active RSS member.
Jujumol, Ananthu Aji’s mother, still wanders through her days in disbelief, unable to grasp what has happened, unable to recover from the unbearable loss of her son. Her home, once filled with his laughter, now echoes with murmurs of visitors, political leaders from across parties arriving to offer condolences that cannot touch the depth of her grief.
Ananthu Aji, the young man who had shown courage by revealing the sexual abuse he faced at Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) camps, ended his life, leaving behind a heart-wrenching suicide note and a pre-recorded Instagram video naming RSS activist Nitheesh Muraleedharan as one of the perpetrators.
Though Jujumol and her family have not yet filed a formal complaint, the investigation is underway, with police recording statements from the family and the accused.
Yet, a larger question looms — how is the RSS’s leadership countering the serious allegations Ananthu had raised?
His death has sparked a national conversation about the hidden realities within RSS camps and the silence that often surrounds them.
In Kottayam, the local RSS leadership responded to South First, outlining how they plan to fight the accusations, even as Jujumol sits in her home, surrounded by people, but utterly alone in her grief.
Usually, when a person linked to a political party or organisation faces serious allegations, the outfit initiates an internal inquiry. However, in this case, when South First asked whether such a probe would be conducted, RSS Kottayam Vibhag Karyavah R Sanu posed a counter question: “How can we conduct a probe into an outsider?”
For the local RSS leadership, the accused, Nitheesh Muraleedharan, is considered an outsider, someone who holds no official post, has no formal membership, and has never been entrusted with any organisational duties.
Hence, they argue, there is no question of an internal probe or disciplinary action against him. However, this very argument exposes a major loophole in the RSS structure.
The organisation, by design, has no formal membership system. There are no enrolment forms, fees, or identity cards that define one’s association. Anyone who regularly attends a local shakha (branch) is informally regarded as a swayamsevak or volunteer.
However, the RSS does maintain a “Join RSS” option on its official website, but that merely connects interested individuals to local shakhas; no registration or record follows. Participation in daily one-hour shakhas, involving physical exercises and ideological discussions (bauddhik), is what defines a swayamsevak.
Because of this informal, non-documented structure, it becomes nearly impossible to officially verify who is or isn’t part of the RSS. The identity of a swayamsevak exists only within local circles, unless the individual takes up a designated role such as pracharak (full-time worker) or moves up the organisational hierarchy.
As a result, this absence of formal membership allows the RSS to distance itself from anyone accused of wrongdoing, even if that person had long-standing participation at the local level, a structural gap that now serves as its most significant defence.
In social media posts and a video released posthumously, Ananthu revealed that he had suffered severe physical and sexual abuse during his time at RSS camps, including the Initial Training Camp (ITC) and the Officers Training Camp (OTC).
He stated that these experiences left him with lasting mental health trauma. Even after naming Nitheesh Muraleedharan as one of his abusers, Ananthu admitted that he could not recall the names of others involved in the abuse during his childhood.
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When South First reached out for details about the camps, Kottayam RSS chief R Sanu responded, “Anyone above 13 can participate in a shakha. There is no compulsion for any activity, including physical exercises. Training may involve martial arts like Dand Yudh (wooden stick fighting).”
Sanu added that participation in ITC and OTC requires submission of medical certificates proving physical fitness from approved doctors.
However, there is no system for mental health assessment or professional counselling to address stress or psychological difficulties within the organisation.
Shakhas are conducted daily to provide both physical and intellectual training, while camps like ITC and OTC are organised annually.
A former RSS member, speaking anonymously, explained, “Physical training in shakhas is adapted according to age. For members under 30, stick fighting, games, and exercises like Suryanamaskar form a larger portion of the sessions. Older participants focus more on intellectual discussions”
“In 2023, RSS introduced a shorter, three-foot stick called the yashti, compared to the traditional 5.3-foot dand. There have also been talks of shortening camps while increasing intellectual content, though in Kerala, both components remain equally emphasised,” he added.
The ITC is designed for new swayamsevaks across age groups and typically lasts 9–10 days in village areas. Participants learn how to organise shakhas and engage in a mix of physical, mental, and social activities. This is also known as Prathmik Varg.
Following ITC, members may attend higher-level camps such as Pratham Varsh (first year), Dwitye Varsh (second year), and Tritiye Varsh (third year).
The OTC was historically aimed at developing capable RSS officers to carry forward the organisation’s mission. Post-1950, OTC was rebranded as Sangh Shiksha Varg (SSV), although older members still commonly refer to it as OTC.
According to Ananthu’s suicide notes, he had attended both ITC and OTC. His father was also an active RSS pracharak, and the family has maintained long-standing ties with the organisation.
According to Sherly Lambi, the panchayat representative from Vanchimala, Nitheesh Muraleedharan is an active RSS activist. However, R Sanu, an RSS official, countered that Muraleedharan’s attendance at shakhas does not make him an official representative of the organisation.
Prajod P Raj, cousin of the deceased Ananthu Aji, emphasised that the absence of a formal complaint should not affect the ongoing investigation. He stated, “We do not want to blame RSS for an individual’s actions, nor politicise the issue.”
Ananthu’s mother, Jujumol, appealed to the media to refrain from interference, highlighting that the investigation is actively proceeding. She expressed hope that justice would be served.
The case is being handled by multiple agencies — the Ponkunnam police are investigating charges of unnatural sexual assault, while the Thampanoor police are handling abetment to suicide.
Senior advocate PP Manu Kallampally, providing legal guidance, confirmed that Ananthu’s video confession can be admitted as evidence, making it a crucial component in the legal process.
Sherly Lambi noted that Nitheesh Muraleedharan, who is currently absconding, reportedly leads the activities of the Balagokulam organisation and runs a medical equipment shop near Kanjirappally. Locals have observed that the business remained open for several days despite the serious allegations against him.
Following Ananthu’s death, strong protests were organised by DYFI and Congress. Ananthu’s posthumous video intensified public outrage. Protesters demanded Muraleedharan’s arrest. During demonstrations, DYFI activists vandalised his shop, and Youth Congress members blocked the Ponkunnam Road near the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP).
The Thampanoor police have decided to proceed with further investigations after receiving legal advice. Meanwhile, RSS leadership filed a complaint with the Kanjirappally DySP, seeking a thorough inquiry. The Kottayam district police chief confirmed that the Thampanoor police are handling the case, and further action will follow legal guidance.
On 17 October, in connection with Ananthu Aji’s suicide, the Thampanoor police registered a case against Nitheesh Muraleedharan under IPC Section 377 for non-consensual unnatural sex.
(If you need support or know someone who has suicidal thoughts, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist or contact the helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families. Tele-MANAS: 14416; Life Suicide Prevention: 7893078930; Arogya Vani: 104; Sahay Helpline: 080-25497777; Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584.)
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
