THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Days after the suicide of a 26-year-old software engineer from Kottayam sparked widespread discussions on alleged sexual abuse in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) camps, a 12-minute video appeared on his Instagram profile on Wednesday, October 15. In the video, the man tearfully narrates the sexual abuse he suffered as a child and names his alleged abuser — his former neighbour, identified as an RSS member.
The youth, who had been working in the IT sector, was found dead in a lodge in Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, on October 9. His suicide note, which appeared on Instagram hours after his death, mentioned that a video would follow — apparently scheduled in advance using Instagram’s post scheduler.
Video surfaces after suicide
In the emotional video, recorded on September 14, the victim narrates in detail how his neighbour allegedly sexually abused him from the age of three or four. Breaking down multiple times, he says, “He continuously abused me.”
He also alleged that he was sexually assaulted by another person at an RSS training camp in Kottayam but said he did not know that individual’s name. The video, which he called his “dying declaration,” details how the trauma continued to affect his adult life.
“I only realised it was abuse last year. That is the worst part. Rapists will walk away, but the suffering will continue lifelong, till death,” he said.
“My life is ruined because of the abuse”
In the video, the youth revealed that he had been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which he attributed to the childhood trauma.
“I have taken tablets for the past six months. I am alive only because of these medicines. I am a rape victim. One of my neighbours used to sexually abuse me when I was three or four years old. That’s what triggered my OCD,” he said.
He further mentioned that the abuser, whom he identified as an RSS member, had since married and moved on with life, while he continued to struggle with the mental aftermath.
“He doesn’t need to know anything now. But I am suffering. My life is completely ruined,” he added.
Allegations against RSS camps
The young man also alleged that similar abuse occurred during his time at RSS training camps, warning others against associating with the organisation.
“There is a section of people you should never ever interact with. They are the RSS, the so-called sanghis. I have attended their ITC and OTC camps. They abuse children mentally, physically, and sexually,” he claimed.
Initial Training Camp (ITC) and Officers Training Camp (OTC) are two types of training conducted at RSS shakhas across India.
RSS dismisses allegations
In response, the RSS issued a press note on October 13, calling the allegations “baseless and dubious.” The organisation said it had filed a petition with the Kottayam district police chief seeking an impartial inquiry.
The RSS also acknowledged that the deceased was a swayamsevak, and his late father had served as a karyakartha (volunteer).
Political reactions and investigation
The Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] have both demanded a transparent and independent inquiry into the case.
The Thampanoor police, who are investigating the unnatural death, said they have not yet added abetment of suicide charges, as the probe is ongoing. Police have taken statements from the victim’s family members and are expected to question his therapist to verify the claims about his mental health.
“We will proceed with the sexual abuse angle only based on concrete evidence,” police officials said.
Authorities have also recovered the man’s phone and laptop for forensic analysis to verify the authenticity of the video and related digital evidence.
Mental health and public response
The tragic case has reignited conversations around child sexual abuse, mental health, and institutional accountability. Activists and mental health professionals have urged people to approach such confessions with compassion rather than political bias.
Meanwhile, the video continues to circulate widely on social media, drawing both outrage and demands for a thorough investigation.