Kerala BJP leader, who lost both his legs in ‘CPM’ attack, nominated to RS

President Droupadi Murmu has nominated Kerala BJP leader C Sadanandan Master, who lost both his legs in a CPI-M attack, to the Rajya Sabha.

The Central government issued a notification on Saturday on the nomination of Sadanandan Master, along with lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and historian Dr Meenakshi Jain to the upper house.

Advertisement

After losing both his legs three decades ago, the BJP leader is walking on artificial legs.

On January 25, 1994, a gang of alleged CPI-M workers, waylaid the car in which Sadanandan Master was travelling, dragged him out and chopped off both his legs. As he was writhing in pain, the assailants scratched the severed legs on the road to ensure that he won’t undergo a limb replantation surgery. Before the attack, the assailants threw bombs to spread fear.

Born in a communist family, Sadanandan was active as a member of the CPI-M during his college days. Later, he was attracted to the RSS ideology and formed a Sakaha (unit) of the RSS in Mattannur, a stronghold of the CPI-M, along with some friends. His move invited the wrath of CPI-M leaders. At the time of the attack, he was 35 and an office bearer of the Kannur district RSS.

The BJP reckons Sadanandan Master as a “living martyr” and believes that by recognizing his services,the party is honouring hundreds of ‘Balidanis’ who lost their lives in the CPI-M attacks in Kerala.

Sadanandan Master is currently the BJP state vice president.

The saffron party treats Sadanandan Master as a symbol of nationalist resistance to inhuman Communist ideology and violence. By this move, the party intends to bring the violent politics of the CPI-M into the public domain at the national level.

Despite losing both his legs, Sadanandan didn’t lose heart. He continued his activities in the RSS-BJP in a wheelchair and later with the help of a prosthetic leg. This is what makes him different from others. He contested the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections from the Koothuparamba constituency, but could not win.

The Central government’s decision to nominate Sadanandan Master as a Rajya Sabha member has already garnered a lot of attention in Kerala. In a post on the social media platform X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sadanandan Master’s life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice.

“Shri C Sadanandan Master’s life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice… 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 Rashtrapati ji . Best wishes for his role as MP ,” PM Modi wrote in the post.

Responding to his nomination to the Rajya Sabha, Sadanandan Master said, “I accept the mission the party has bestowed in me with humility. I will strive hard to realise the dream of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Keralam upheld by the party.”

BJP IT cell convener Amit Malviya said Sadanandan Master’s life is a symbol of courage and survival. Despite being fatally attacked, the Master worked as an RSS activist.