Guwahati: President Droupadi Murmu has nominated Sadanandan Master, a Kerala native and alumnus of Gauhati University, to the Rajya Sabha, recognising a life marked by resilience, ideological conviction, and a deeply personal journey through political violence. His nomination is being widely hailed as a tribute to personal sacrifice and unwavering commitment to public service.
Once aligned with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M), Sadanandan’s early political views were shaped by his father’s commitment to communism. However, disillusionment with what he later described as the SFI’s “anti-national stance,” disregard for Hindu values, and disruptive tactics led him to part ways with the organisation in the 1990s. He soon joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), beginning a new chapter in both ideological identity and public life.
His affiliation with the RSS came at a cost. In 1994, amid escalating political tensions in Kerala, Sadanandan became a victim of what was reported as a CPI(M)-led campaign of violence against RSS workers. In a brutal attack that shocked many, Sadanandan lost both his legs. The assault was part of a wider wave of political clashes in the region that allegedly targeted over 1,500 individuals connected to the RSS and other Sangh-affiliated groups.
Despite the physical trauma and personal suffering, Sadanandan refused to retreat from public life. Instead, he intensified his involvement in social service, community work, and ideological mobilisation, gradually earning respect across political lines for his perseverance and moral clarity. His life became a symbol of survival against extremism and his work a reflection of enduring belief in ideological commitment and democratic values.
His nomination to the Rajya Sabha has triggered an emotional response across sections of society. Many see in him more than a political figure—a personification of resilience, sacrifice, and the long arc of justice. Supporters have called his elevation a message to those who believe in service over power, and conviction over convenience.
Now entering Parliament not as a victim but as a legislator, Sadanandan Master carries with him a story that intersects Kerala’s turbulent political history and India’s ongoing narrative of ideological diversity and resilience. His voice in the Rajya Sabha is expected to resonate with those who have long awaited recognition of his personal ordeal and steadfast spirit.
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