9 months ago
Kerala Congress Leader Defends RSS Song Sung on Vande Bharat
A group of children were on a special new train for its first trip.
They sang a song called 'Gana Geetham.'
This song has become a big topic of discussion.
Some political groups in Kerala say the song is connected to a group called the RSS and that it's not right to sing it on an official train trip, especially with kids involved.
They feel it's like playing politics.
The government is even looking into it.
However, one leader from a different political party, the Congress, said that the song is actually a patriotic song.
He pointed out that it mentions heroes and important people from different backgrounds, not just one group.
He believes that the RSS cannot say it's their song alone.
The school where the children are from also said that the kids picked the song themselves when reporters asked them to sing something, and the train company didn't tell them to sing it.
It's a debate about what the song means and who can sing it.
A Congress leader from Kerala, N.S. Nisoor, stated that 'Gana Geetham,' sung by schoolchildren on the Vande Bharat Express, is patriotic and not exclusively an RSS song.
The song choice sparked controversy, with Kerala's ruling CPM and opposition Congress condemning it as having RSS links and being used for political purposes involving children.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the inclusion of the song an RSS 'anthem' and a violation of constitutional principles at an official event.
The school principal clarified that students selected the song voluntarily when prompted by media, denying involvement from Southern Railway.
The state government has ordered an investigation into the incident.
- Who
- Schoolchildren, CPM, Congress leader N.S. Nisoor, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Congress leader VD Satheesan, and the RSS.
- What
- A controversy erupted after schoolchildren sang a song named 'Gana Geetham' on the inaugural run of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, with a Congress leader defending the song's patriotic nature against claims of RSS affiliation.
- Where
- Aboard the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, Kerala.
- When
- Saturday, during the inaugural run of the train.
- Why
- The song 'Gana Geetham' is considered by some parties (CPM, Congress) to be linked to the RSS and inappropriate for an official event, while a Congress leader argues it is a patriotic song not exclusive to the RSS.
Critics of the Song
Supporters of the Song
Nature and Affiliation of the Song
Critics of the Song
Kerala's ruling CPM and opposition Congress condemn the song 'Gana Geetham' as having links to the RSS and its 'communal ideology and hate mongering.' They believe its inclusion in an official event is a violation of constitutional principles and an attempt to politicize children.
Supporters of the Song
Congress leader N.S. Nisoor asserts that 'Gana Geetham' is a patriotic song, not solely an RSS song, as it names figures like Bhagat Singh, Ramakrishna, and Narayana Guru. He, a Muslim and self-proclaimed patriot, sang it during his boy scout days and believes the RSS cannot claim exclusive ownership.
Context of Singing
Critics of the Song
The CPM and Congress view the singing of the song on the inaugural run of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express as an inappropriate use of children in a government-sponsored event, suggesting it aligns with 'Sangh Parivar politics' subverting national institutions.
Supporters of the Song
The school principal stated the children chose the song voluntarily when asked by the media to sing a Malayalam song during the train's inaugural run, denying any involvement from the railways in the song's selection.
Key facts
- Incident
- Schoolchildren sang 'Gana Geetham' on the inaugural run of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express.
- Song in Question
- 'Gana Geetham'
- Controversy
- Debate over whether the song is linked to the RSS and its appropriateness for an official event involving children.
- State Government Action
- Ordered an investigation.
- Notable Opinion
- Congress leader N.S. Nisoor stated the song is patriotic and not exclusively an RSS song.
- School's Statement
- Children chose the song voluntarily when prompted by media; not selected by railways.
Timeline
Shivakumar urged party faithful to defend democracy on Independence Day.
He then recited an RSS anthem in assembly, drawing BJP ire.
Meanwhile, students sang the same anthem on a train.
Kerala now probes the train incident amid political backlash.
Quotes
NS Nisoor
A Congress leader from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram
“I am a Muslim. I am a patriot. I sang this song during my boy scout days”
NDTV
“This song is about patriotism. How can a song that names Bhagat Singh singh, Ramakrishna, Narayana Guru and Jhansi ki rani be an RSS song?”
NDTV
Pinarayi Vijayan
Kerala Chief Minister
“Including the anthem of an organisation known for its communal ideology and hate mongering in an official event is a blatant violation of constitutional principles”
NDTV
“By sharing the video on its social media handles, the railway authorities have exposed how eminent national institutions are being subverted by Sangh Parivar politics”
NDTV
Sources
Kerala School Under Probe After Students Sing RSS-Linked Song, Says Principal
Patriotic Song, Children Chose It: Kerala Principal Amid RSS Anthem Row
RSS Can't Claim Gana Geetham: Kerala Congress Leader Weighs In On Controversy
