Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a scathing attack on the Southern Railway for allegedly making students sing the RSS Gana Geet (song) during the official inauguration of the new Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat train service.
Vijayan labeled the incident a profound “violation of constitutional principles” and an act aimed at “destroying secularism” in government functions.
Chief Minister’s Key Accusations
- Political Misuse of Railways: Vijayan condemned the inclusion of the RSS song—which he claimed “constantly spreads hatred against other religions and communal divisive politics”—in an official government program.
- Undermining Secularism: He accused the Southern Railway of promoting “extreme Hindutva politics,” stating, “The inauguration ceremony of Vande Bharat witnessed the sneaking of extreme Hindutva politics.”
- Insult to Freedom Struggle: He specifically criticized the Railways for sharing the video as a ‘patriotic song’ on social media, asserting that this “made a mockery of itself” and insulted the Indian national movement. He charged that the Railways, once a “cornerstone of India’s secular nationalism,” is now supporting the “communal agenda of the RSS.”
- Call for Protest: The Chief Minister termed the action “unacceptable” and called for a public protest against the Railways’ conduct.
Broader Political Context
The incident has drawn support from other leaders, with Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas stating that the Indian Railways has “stooped to new depths” by making the RSS song an “integral part” of a highly politicized event.
The article also notes that CM Vijayan has previously criticized the RSS, including drawing a parallel between the organization and Zionists in Israel, calling them “twin brothers,” and slamming the Centre’s decision to commemorate the RSS centenary as a “grave insult to our Constitution.”
