Did Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Slam RSS Song at Vande Bharat Launch?
Synopsis
In a dramatic turn of events, Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has condemned the Southern Railway for featuring an RSS song during the Vande Bharat Express launch. This incident has ignited a debate on constitutional values and secularism in India, raising questions about the role of government functions in promoting ideological agendas.
Key Takeaways
Kerala CM condemns RSS song at train launch.
Event criticized for breaching secular values.
RSS song branded as ideological propaganda.
Southern Railway deletes controversial images.
Vande Bharat Express aims to enhance rail connectivity.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 8 (NationPress) - Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan vehemently criticized the Southern Railway on Saturday for allowing students to sing an RSS “Gana Geetham” during the launch of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express. He labeled this act as “a serious breach of constitutional values and secular principles.”
The controversy erupted during the official unveiling of Kerala's third Vande Bharat train, which was flagged off virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The event at Ernakulam South station was intended to celebrate a significant improvement in Kerala's rail connectivity but was overshadowed by the inclusion of the RSS-associated tune, which the Southern Railway had publicized as a “patriotic song.”
Vijayan remarked that it was “intolerable” for a government event to be utilized for promoting the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, an organization accused of fostering communal division and politics.
He asserted that incorporating the RSS anthem disrespected India's freedom struggle and secular national ethos.
“The Indian Railways, once a bastion of secular nationalism during the independence movement, is now being manipulated to advance the RSS's communal agenda. This undermines the very essence of our Republic,” Vijayan stated.
He characterized the inclusion of the song as a “sneaky effort to promote hardline Hindutva politics disguised as patriotism,” urging citizens to be vigilant and resist such attempts to weaken India's secular identity.
The Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, launched alongside three additional services from Varanasi, will cover a distance of 608 km in nine hours with 11 stops.
While the inauguration represented a notable advancement in Kerala's rail modernization, the song controversy has marred what was intended to be a festive occasion.
Following the uproar, the Southern Railway has deleted the images of the school students singing the song from their social media platforms.
Point of View
The incident highlights the ongoing struggle between secularism and religious nationalism in India. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a clear separation between state functions and ideological promotion to uphold the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution.
NationPress
8 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the controversy surrounding the Vande Bharat Express launch?
The controversy arose when students were made to sing an RSS song during the inauguration of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, leading to accusations of promoting ideological agendas at a government event.
How did Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan respond?
Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the event, labeling it a violation of constitutional principles and secular values, and urged citizens to resist such ideological impositions.
What are the implications of this incident?
The incident raises critical questions about the role of government functions in promoting specific ideologies, potentially undermining the secular character of the Indian Republic.
What actions were taken by Southern Railway following the controversy?
In response to the backlash, Southern Railway removed images of the students singing the song from their social media accounts.
