Southern Railway has once again shared on X a video showing students singing an RSS Gana Geetham during the inaugural run of the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express on Saturday.
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Southern Railway has once again shared on X a video showing students singing an RSS Gana Geetham during the inaugural run of the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express on Saturday.
The video, initially posted by Southern Railway on Saturday with the caption “Students singing patriotic songs,” was later removed following widespread criticism. However, the same video has now been reposted by the Railway with an English translation of the song.
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The visuals are from the train’s first journey from Ernakulam to Bengaluru following its inauguration. In the clip, students can be heard singing the RSS song that begins with the line “Parama pavithramamee mannil Bharatambaye poojikan” (On this sacred land, let us worship Mother India).
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The Railways, which had initially taken down the video after the backlash, sought clarification from the school authorities. The school reportedly explained that it was a patriotic song sung daily during the morning assembly. Following this clarification, the Railway reposted the video.
Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty has instructed the Director of Public Education to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident and submit a report at the earliest. He said there would be no compromise in ensuring secular education for children.
The principal of Elamakkara Saraswathi Vidyaniketan, Dinto K. P., thanked the Railways for reposting the video on X.
“Thanks to the Railway Minister and the Prime Minister for giving us the opportunity to participate in the inaugural journey of Vande Bharat. The last line of the song — ‘Palaniramengilum Ottamanassayi vitrnnitunnu mukulangal’ (Even though in different colours, the buds bloom with one mind) — speaks of the country’s strength and unity in diversity,” said the principal.
He further said the Education Minister’s decision to order an investigation into the matter was condemnable and added that he would not be intimidated by any action against the school. He also stated that legal steps would be taken if the students face any difficulties due to the controversy.
Meanwhile, BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar lashed out at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for criticizing the students’ performance of the Gana Geetham on the Vande Bharat’s maiden voyage. Chandrasekhar questioned why the Chief Minister was upset about children singing patriotic songs and what right he had to criticize their freedom of expression.
Union Minister for Petroleum Suresh Gopi also defended the students, saying, “It’s not a terrorist song. If you can’t enjoy it, turn your ears away.” He added that music has no caste or religion and that the children were simply celebrating joy.
“Music should be enjoyed. Is it a song by terrorists? It’s music — if you can’t enjoy it, turn off your ears and heart. The world will understand the evil intention behind this criticism,” Gopi remarked.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on the other hand, strongly criticized the Southern Railway for allegedly making students sing the RSS Gana Geetham during the inauguration of the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat service.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chief Minister said, “The act of Southern Railway, which made students sing the RSS Gana Geetham during the inauguration of the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat service, is extremely condemnable.”
Congress leader and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan also condemned the incident, calling it “shocking and absolutely unacceptable.”
“RSS Gana Geetham sung at the Vande Bharat flag-off in Kerala, a shocking reminder of how Sangh ideology is seeping into official events. Even a national railway function is not spared from saffronisation,” Satheesan said.
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