During the inauguration of the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express on November 7, 2025, a video went viral showing students from Saraswathi Vidyanikethan Public School singing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) anthem, Gana Geetham.
The Southern Railway initially shared the performance on social media, describing it as a “patriotic” act, but it soon sparked criticism accusing organisers of attempting to saffronise a government event. The video was deleted but later reposted with an English translation of the lyrics.
The ceremony included Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, and was virtually flagged off by Prime Minister Modi. The incident reignited debates over RSS-linked ideology at public functions in Kerala, leading to political backlash and official probes. However, the school principal has defended students saying children chose to sing.
Kerala School Principal Defends Students
According to News18, the school principal of Saraswathi Vidyanikethan Public School, Dinto K P, firmly defended the students involved in the RSS Gana Geetham controversy.
He clarified that the song was not sung at the behest or direction of Southern Railway officials but was chosen spontaneously by the children themselves as a patriotic Malayalam song.
Following the social media backlash and removal of the original video by Southern Railway, the school sent letters to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Railway Minister requesting its restoration.
Official Responses and Political Reactions
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “gross violation of constitutional principles” and admonishing the use of a government platform to promote RSS ideology.
“The @GMSRailway making students sing the RSS anthem at the flag-off of the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express is highly condemnable. 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,” the CM said on X.
“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. Once a proud symbol of India’s secular nationalism, the Railways is now being used to sneak communal ideology into official functions. All secular and democratic forces must unite to resist this dangerous move,” he continued.
Education Minister V Sivankutty ordered a probe, stating, “Using children to promote the communal agenda of any group is a violation of constitutional principles.”
Opposition leaders also criticised the act, terming it an attempt to push divisive politics in the state. Meanwhile, the school principal defended the students, saying they chose the song spontaneously and denied any coercion. The school wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Railway Minister voicing their sorrow over the backlash.
Context and Background to the Event
The inauguration, attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual launch of four new Vande Bharat trains.
Saraswathi Vidyanikethan Public School, linked to RSS’s Vidya Bharathi, had students onboard the inaugural journey. The controversy comes amid ongoing debates in Kerala about the promotion of RSS-affiliated ideology in public institutions and events, with critics warning about the saffronisation of education and culture.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This controversy highlights the delicate balance between patriotism and the unintended politicisation of cultural events involving children.
The Logical Indian advocates respect for India’s secular fabric and constitutional principles while recognising the necessity of inclusive, pluralistic celebrations that accommodate diverse beliefs. Public events, especially those involving children, must maintain neutrality to foster harmony and prevent political exploitation.
