Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Kerala Minister Orders Probe into RSS Song Sung on Vande Bharat Train
On the first trip of a new high-speed train in Kerala, some students sang a song associated with a group called the RSS.
This caused a big argument because some politicians said the song is divisive and not appropriate for an official event like a train launch.
They believe it goes against the idea of keeping schools secular.
The state's Education Minister ordered an investigation and said the school could even lose its permission to operate if rules were broken.
The school's principal, however, defended the song, stating it's patriotic and about the country's unity.
He also mentioned that the train organizers didn't choose the song.
The argument highlights a disagreement about what kind of songs are suitable for official public events and whether they promote division or unity.
Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty ordered a probe after students sang an RSS song on the Vande Bharat Express inaugural run.
The incident involved 20 students and two teachers from Saraswathi Vidyaniketan Public School, affiliated with an RSS education wing.
Ruling CPI(M) and Opposition Congress condemned the act, accusing the BJP of using the Railways for 'divisive' politics.
Minister Sivankutty warned that the school could lose its no-objection certificate (NOC) if secular education principles were violated.
The school principal defended the song as patriotic and stated the Railways were not involved in its selection.
- Who
- Students and teachers from Saraswathi Vidyaniketan Public School, Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty, ruling CPI(M), Opposition Congress, and implicitly the BJP.
- What
- A controversy erupted after students sang an RSS song on the inaugural run of the Vande Bharat Express, leading to a government probe and warnings about the school's operating license.
- When
- Saturday (inaugural run), Sunday (probe ordered and statements made).
- Where
- Onboard the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express during its inaugural run.
- Why
- The song choice was deemed inappropriate by ruling and opposition parties as promoting a 'communal agenda' and violating constitutional principles of secularism, while the school and its affiliations defended it as patriotic.
Critics of the Song Performance
Defenders of the Song Performance
Nature and appropriateness of the song
Critics of the Song Performance
The ruling CPI(M) and Opposition Congress in Kerala condemned the incident. Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty stated the song promotes a 'communal agenda' and is a 'flagrant violation of constitutional principles'. The CPI(M) State Secretariat alleged the RSS song evokes 'hatred and contempt' and is not patriotic, accusing the Railways of using the event to 'communalize Kerala'.
Defenders of the Song Performance
The school principal stated that the Railways had no role in the students singing the song. The song, 'Gana Geetham', is described by its proponents as patriotic and speaking of the country's strength and unity.
Government and School's Response
Critics of the Song Performance
Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty ordered a probe and warned that the school could lose its no-objection certificate (NOC) if conditions for granting it were found to have been violated, emphasizing the importance of secular education.
Defenders of the Song Performance
The school principal K P Dinto stated that the Railways were not involved in the song choice and that the song is sung daily during the school's morning assembly. The principal criticized the government's action, implying it could lead to legal challenges.
Political Accusations
Critics of the Song Performance
The CPI(M) and Congress accused the BJP of using the Railways for its 'divisive' and 'communal' politics.
Defenders of the Song Performance
The article does not contain explicit statements from BJP leaders in this particular source defending the song or students, but implies the RSS affiliation of the school's parent organization.
- Event
- Inaugural run of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express.
- Incident
- Students from Saraswathi Vidyaniketan Public School sang the RSS 'Gana Geetham' during the train's inaugural journey.
- Political Reaction
- Ruling CPI(M) and Opposition Congress condemned the incident, accusing BJP of divisive politics. BJP affiliation implied through the school's parent organization.
- Government Action
- Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty ordered a probe into the incident and warned the school could lose its NOC.
- School Affiliation
- Saraswathi Vidyaniketan Public School is affiliated with Bharatheeya Vidyanikethan, the Kerala chapter of Vidya Bharathi, an education wing of the RSS.
Sources
Kerala CM Criticises Railways For Playing RSS Song At Vande Bharat Event: ‘Destroying Secularism’
Railways event, RSS song, and a political firestorm in Kerala
Kerala CM slams Southern Railways over RSS song at Vande Bharat event
‘Dangerous’: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan slams Railways over ‘RSS song’ at Vande Bharat event
Kerala CM slams Southern Railway after RSS anthem sung on Vande Bharat train - Telegraph India
Kerala: Students singing RSS song during Vande Bharat Express inaugural run sparks row
"Dangerous Move": Kerala Chief Minister As Students Sing RSS Song On Vande Bharat Train
Kerala orders probe into RSS song at Vande Bharat event
Kerala Education Minister Orders Probe Into RSS Song at Vande Bharat Event
Kerala Govt Orders Probe into RSS Song on Vande Bharat
Kerala Orders Probe After Children Sing RSS Song On New Vande Bharat Train
Kerala orders probe into RSS song at Vande Bharat event
Kerala government orders probe after students sing RSS song on Vande Bharat Express - Telegraph India
Kerala BJP chief lashes out at CM Vijayan for criticizing RSS song at Vande Bharat launch
Southern Railway reposts video of students singing RSS Gana Geetham on Vande Bharat; calls it a patriotic song
