Kerala School RSS Song Controversy: Principal Defends Students Amid Government Probe

The principal stated that children who sang the song are being labeled as "Sanghi kids" on social media.

A controversy has erupted after Kerala school students performed a rendition of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) "gana geetham" (anthem) during the inaugural run of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express on Saturday. The state government has ordered an investigation into the incident, while the school principal defends the students, claiming it is a "patriotic song" and was "not sung on the directives of the Southern Railway."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express on Saturday. Following the inauguration, Southern Railway shared a video of students singing the RSS song aboard the train. After facing online criticism, the video was initially removed before being reposted with English translation.

Dinto K P, principal of Saraswathi Vidyanikethan Public School in Elamakkara, justified the rendition by describing it as a patriotic song. He clarified that Southern Railway did not direct the performance, explaining that the children themselves chose to sing it as a Malayalam patriotic song, according to PTI reports.

The principal revealed that school authorities had sent letters to both the Prime Minister's office and Union Railway Minister when Southern Railway removed the video from their X platform following the controversy. "We don't know why the state Education Minister has ordered a probe into the matter. We will consider legal action if the General Education Department proceeds with its investigation," he added.

According to the principal, the students who performed the song are now experiencing cyber bullying and being branded as "Sanghi kids" on social media platforms.

Kerala's General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Sunday directed the Director of Public Instructions to conduct an inquiry and submit a report on the matter. In an official statement, Sivankutty emphasized that the government views the incident with utmost seriousness.

The minister stated that politicizing children at government events and using them to promote any group's communal agenda violates constitutional principles. He affirmed that the government has a responsibility to uphold the country's secular and national values, and measures will be taken to protect these principles.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned the incident, describing it as "a blatant violation of constitutional principles." In a post on X, he stated, "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. 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."

Vijayan further remarked that the Railways, once a proud symbol of India's secular nationalism, is now "being used to sneak communal ideology into official functions." He called for "all secular and democratic forces to unite to resist this dangerous move."

Union Minister Suresh Gopi defended the students' performance on Sunday, characterizing it as "part of the innocent celebration of children." Speaking to reporters in Thrissur, he stated, "They felt to sing that song at the moment, and they did so. Anyway, it's not an extremist song."

George Kurian, Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, also strongly supported the singing of the RSS anthem, questioning what was communal about a 'gana geetham.' He suggested that those who attempt to propagate anti-India sentiments abroad might not appreciate the song.