Kummanam Rajasekharan

Kummanam Rajasekharan
President of Bhartiya Janata Party, Kerala
Incumbent
Assumed office 2015
Preceded by	V. Muraleedharan
Personal details
Born	(1952-12-23) 23 December 1952 Kummanam, Kottayam
Nationality	Indian
Parents	Advocate V K Ramakrishna Pillai & P Parukkutty Amma
Residence	Mararji Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram
Alma mater	Baselius College CMS College Kottayam
Website	www.kummanamrajasekharan.in

Kummanam Rajasekharan (born 23 December 1952) is an Indian politician and the current president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kerala. He started his public activities as an activist of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh abbreviated as RSS (RSS) and Sangh Parivar in the state of Kerala from 1970. From 18 December 2015, he has been the state president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala.^[1][2] He participated in ‘movement against Nilakkal land encroachment’ and worked for ‘Paliyam Declaration’^[3] pronounced by prominent Hindu religious scholars. In 1987, he resigned from govt. service and became a full-time Pracharak of RSS, while being instrumental in spearheading Kerala’s Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti, Balasadanams, and Ekal Vidyalayas. As of 2013, he holds the responsibilities of Hindu Aikya Vedi Organisation-Secretary, Sabarimala Ayyappa Sewa Samajam, General-Secretary and Chairman of Janmabhumi daily. He was accused many a time in creating and spreading fake news, videos and information to break the communal harmony in Kerala, recently he was booked in spreading fake video and Kerala Police had registered case against him for allegedly spreading fake video on Social Media.^[4]

Early life and education

Son of Late Advocate V K Ramakrishna Pillai & P Parukkutty Amma, Rajasekharan Pillai was born at Kummanam village of Aymanam in Kottayam district. After his schooling his birthplace, he continued his studies at Baselius College and CMS College, Kottayam and graduated from there. Then he completed his post-graduate diploma in Journalism and joined in various periodicals to acquire experience in journalism.

Professional career

Rajasekharan started his journalism career by joining Deepika daily, Kottayam in 1974. Later he played different roles in many dailies in Kerala. He was the Sub-Editor of Rastravartha daily, Kochi. He also took the role of Sub-Editor in Keraladesam daily, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Bhooshanam daily, Kottayam and Kerala Dhwani daily, Kottayam. In 1976, he took a short break from his journalism career and joined the Food Corporation of India, Kochi. In 1987, he resigned from this government job and became a Pracharak (full-time worker) of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). In 2012, he participated in the agitation against KGS Aranmula International Airport. He was the Chief Patron of Aranmula Heritage Village Action Council which protests against the said Airport.^[5]

Ideology and public roles

Ayyappa Seva Samajam -Sabari saranasramam

He came into contact with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh during his student days. In 1979, he became the district-secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and later was associated with many Hindu organisations in Kerala in various capacities.^[6][7] He does not eat bovine meat and is personally opposed to cow slaughter. A controversy was arose after the opinion he expressed regarding the celebrations happened after the murder of an RSS activist.^[8]

• In 1981, became State Joint-Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
• In 1983, was appointed as General-Convener of Nilakkal Action Council and lead the mass agitation against the encroachment in Nilakkal.
• In 1985, became General-Secretary of Hindu Munnani (Hindu Front)
• In 1987, he contested from Thiruvananthapuram constituency as Hindu Munnani candidate and reached second position in the election.
• In 1988, he was appointed General-Secretary of Guruvayoor Temple Action Council and led agitation to take out Jacob Thampi from managing committee of Guruvayoor Temple.
• In 1989, was appointed Editor of Janmabhumi daily, Kochi.
• In 1992, was designated General-Convenor of Hindu Aikya Vedi.
• In 1996, was appointed Organising-Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad
• In 1998, was appointed General-Convener of Sivagiri Samara Sahaya Samithi to assist the agitations led by Swami Prakashananda protesting against his removal from presidency of Sivagiri Madom.
• In 2003, lead a mass agitation against the Marad massacre.
• In 2007, was designated as Managing Director of Janmabhumi daily.
• In 2009, was selected as General-Secretary of Sabarimala Ayyappa Sewa Samajam.^[9]
• In 2011, was appointed as Chairman, Janamabhumi daily.^[10]
• In 2012, was appointed as Chief Patron (Mukhya Rakshadhikari) of Aranmula Heritage Village Action Council.
• In 2015, was appointed as President, BJP Kerala State Unit from 18 December.

Marad massacre

On the evening of 2 May 2003, a group of fishermen were attacked by a mob armed with swords and deadly weapons with the help of local political support. Nine people were killed in that attack. Many were seriously wounded.^[11] Mass protests were carried out by various Hindu organisations under the banner of the Hindu Aikya Vedi, against the violence. Kerala government decided to announce compensation for victims' families and ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. As the General-Secretary of Hindu Aikya Vedi, RSS, Kummanam Rajasekharan helped the victims of the massacre.^[12]

Propogating fake video

In July, 2017 Rajasekharan propogated a fake video on social media as to show youths celebrating the murder of a political activist. The video was found to be a fake and has invited controversy. ^[13]

References

External links

• Sabarimala a cash cow, but Kerala won't allow its symbols
• Ayyappa Bhagavatham
• Missionaries
• Interview with Kummanam Rajasekharan
• http://www.kummanam.info/