Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 27: A social media post by noted socio-political activist Vishnupuram Chandrasekharan, condemning the drug menace, has gone viral—ironically, following the arrest of his own son for drug possession.
Chandrasekharan, the Vaikunda Swami Dharma Pracharana Sabha (VSDPS) chairman and an office-bearer of the BJP-led NDA, took a firm stand, stating that no attempt would be made to shield his son from the law. He acknowledged the police’s action, clarifying that the synthetic drugs were seized from one of his son's friends.
"Even if it is my son, a wrong is a wrong. If he has committed a crime, he must be punished. Those who eat salt must drink water," he wrote in his Facebook post on Thursday, asserting that he had not and would not intervene in the legal process.
Chandrasekharan dismissed any allegations of a police setup, stating, "They only did their job." He emphasized that drug abuse was destroying younger generations and urged authorities to stay vigilant.
"Once addicted, they become trapped. These children don’t realize what’s happening once the intoxicants enter their veins," he warned, calling for stricter monitoring by both parents and law enforcement agencies.
Sivaji himself confessed that peer influence led him to drugs. "I first saw my friends using drugs, and eventually, I tried it too. Many fall into addiction this way. I realize my mistake now," he admitted.
With his post gaining traction, Chandrasekharan’s tough stance has sparked wide public debate on the need for stricter anti-drug measures in Kerala.
Chandrasekharan, the Vaikunda Swami Dharma Pracharana Sabha (VSDPS) chairman and an office-bearer of the BJP-led NDA, took a firm stand, stating that no attempt would be made to shield his son from the law. He acknowledged the police’s action, clarifying that the synthetic drugs were seized from one of his son's friends.
"Even if it is my son, a wrong is a wrong. If he has committed a crime, he must be punished. Those who eat salt must drink water," he wrote in his Facebook post on Thursday, asserting that he had not and would not intervene in the legal process.
Arrest and Legal Action
His elder son, Sivaji, along with two friends, was caught with 0.11 grams of MDMA on Tuesday. The trio was arrested, booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and later released on station bail.Chandrasekharan dismissed any allegations of a police setup, stating, "They only did their job." He emphasized that drug abuse was destroying younger generations and urged authorities to stay vigilant.
Warning to Parents and Authorities
In his viral post, he cautioned that Kerala was falling prey to the growing drug network, where traffickers target children and students. He urged parents to be extra vigilant, stating that drugs were now being introduced covertly, even through food items like ice creams and sweets."Once addicted, they become trapped. These children don’t realize what’s happening once the intoxicants enter their veins," he warned, calling for stricter monitoring by both parents and law enforcement agencies.
Son Admits Drug Use, Vows to Reform
In an interview with a news channel, Chandrasekharan revealed that Sivaji admitted to drug use for the past six months but has now pledged to quit and fight against the menace. "I never suspected it, but my son has promised to change," he said.Sivaji himself confessed that peer influence led him to drugs. "I first saw my friends using drugs, and eventually, I tried it too. Many fall into addiction this way. I realize my mistake now," he admitted.
A Stronger Anti-Drug Stand
A respected leader of VSDPS, an organization primarily representing the Nadar community in South Kerala, Chandrasekharan stated this was the first such incident in his public life. He reaffirmed his commitment to fighting drug addiction and urged authorities to crack down on the growing drug network in Thiruvananthapuram, which, according to his son, has deep roots in the city's student population.With his post gaining traction, Chandrasekharan’s tough stance has sparked wide public debate on the need for stricter anti-drug measures in Kerala.