A political row has erupted in Kerala after a video emerged showing students singing an RSS anthem on the newly launched Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express. The incident, which occurred on Saturday shortly after Prime Minister Modi officially commenced the train service, has drawn sharp criticism from the state government. Southern Railway had initially shared the video on social media but later removed it following backlash, before re-uploading it with an English translation.
The students belong to Saraswathi Vidyanikethan Public School, and their principal has defended their actions. He stated that the song was patriotic and that the students sang it of their own volition, denying any railway directives. The principal also expressed distress over the cyberbullying targeting the students and questioned the rationale behind the government’s ordered probe.
Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty has initiated an inquiry, citing the act as a serious violation of constitutional and secular ethics. He stated that using children for the communal purposes of any organization during government events is unacceptable and goes against the state’s commitment to secular and national values.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly denounced the inclusion of the RSS song, labeling it as an infringement of constitutional principles. He criticized the Railways for allegedly being influenced by ‘Sangh Parivar politics’ and urged secular and democratic factions to unite against such attempts to infuse communalism into public spaces.
Defending the students, Union Minister Suresh Gopi characterized the act as a spontaneous expression of patriotism, asserting that the song was not extremist. Minister of State George Kurian also supported the students, questioning the validity of calling the ‘gana geetham’ communal and hinting at opposition from those with anti-national sentiments.
The incident has become a focal point for Kerala’s ongoing ideological battles. The state government views it as a secular transgression, while the BJP sees it as an innocent patriotic gesture. The probe will likely explore the complex issues surrounding national identity, cultural expression, and secularism in public events.