Kerala BJP chief lashes out at CM Vijayan for criticizing RSS song at Vande Bharat launch

BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar lashed out at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for criticizing the singing of the Ganga geetham by students on the maiden journey of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat train.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, in a post on X, asked why Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was upset with the children singing patriotic songs and what right he has to criticize the freedom of expression of the children. “Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, what are you really condemning? Is it that a few children sang songs? Or that they sang songs they like? Or that they sang patriotic songs about their own country,” he wrote in the post late on Saturday.

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“Why are you upset when children celebrate inspiring things with joy? Especially on a day when they experienced the strength and progress of a new India through the Vande Bharat train! How can a Chief Minister who took oath and took office according to the Constitution is so disrespectful of children’s right to free speech? (Forgot Article 19?),” he said in the post.

“If you are so interested in condemning, let me give you a list of things to condemn. Let us condemn the collapsed healthcare system that killed Venu in TVM. Let us condemn the Education minister who admits 75% of schools are unsafe and forces children go outside to study. Let us condemn corruption in Devaswom boards and stealing of 4.5 kilos of Sabarimala gold and….,” the BJP kerala chief further wrote in the post.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday lambasted the Southern Railway for allegedly making students sing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Gana Geetham during the inauguration of the Ernakulam – Bengaluru Vande Bharat train service. In a statement issued here on Saturday, he said the act of the Southern Railway making students sing the RSS Gana Geetham during the inauguration of the Ernakulam – Bengaluru Vande Bharat service is extremely protestable.

“The inclusion of the RSS song, which constantly spreads hatred against other religions and communal divisive politics, in the official program of the government is a violation of constitutional principles,” he said.

Responding to the criticism against students singing the Ganga geetham during the inaugural run of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, Union Minister for Petroleum Suresh Gopi,

If you can’t enjoy it, turn your ears away,” he said, adding music has no caste or religion. The children were celebrating happiness. “Music should be enjoyed. Isn’t it a song of terrorists? It is music, if you can’t enjoy it, turn off your ears and heart .The world will understand the evil intention behind the criticism,” the Union minister said.

Union Minister George Kurian justified the singing of the “Ganageetham” associated with the RSS during the inaugural journey of the Vande Bharat train, describing it as a patriotic song and an expression of national unity.

The song is not regressive or Hindu-nationalistic as criticized by the CPM and Congress, but rather celebrates India’s unity and diversity, he said.

George Kurian defended the song by reading out the lyrics and arguing that they project national unity and celebrate India’s diversity. He stated that the song mentions social reformers like Sree Narayana Guru, Maharshi Aravindan, and Swamy Ramdas, and contains nationalistic fervour.