Kerala RSS row: CM Satheesan, Vijayan slam VCs for attending Bhagwat event

A major political row has erupted in Kerala with the Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition condemning the participation of three Vice Chancellors in the state attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

The controversy started with Dr Mohanan Kunnummal of Kerala University of Health Sciences, Dr Mavoothu D of Mahatma Gandhi University, and Dr CR Prasad of Malayalam University attending an RSS event addressed by Bhagwat.

Pinarayi slams UDF

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the incident as “deeply disturbing”. He further stated that the incident is being viewed by the “secular” state very seriously, adding that concerns were already being raised about the RSS’s effort to impose its agenda in the universities, and the three Vice-Chancellors attending the event were a clear sign of such efforts making a mark in the state.

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Lashing out at the UDF government, Vijayan further stated that the resistance shown by the previous LDF government against the attempt to saffronise universities with legislation through public protests and legal interventions was lacking in the current UDF government, reported NDTV.

‘Grave lapse’, says CM Satheesan

Chief Minister VD Satheesan described the incident as a “grave lapse”, adding that it was “unbecoming” of Kerala’s educational tradition. He further stated that all three Vice Chancellors must apologise to the people of the state.

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“We view with utmost seriousness the participation of three Vice-Chancellors in an #RSS centenary event addressed by Sarsanghchalak #MohanBhagwat. This is a grave lapse. Their action is unbecoming of Keralam’s educational tradition and the dignity of their office,” he said in a post on X.

“The people of Keralam hold the post of vice-chancellor in high esteem. By attending a programme led by an RSS leader who preaches extreme communalism, they have undermined that respect. Any act that promotes communalism, whoever commits it, is unacceptable and will not be condoned. All three vice-chancellors who attended the RSS programme must apologise to the people of Keralam. @INCIndia @INCKerala,” he added.

What Congress said

AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal launched a sharp attack on three vice chancellors of Kerala universities for attending the, alleging that they were attempting to align the state's higher education sector with the RSS.

In a Facebook post, the Alappuzha MP said Kerala's higher education sector, known for its academic excellence, secular outlook and democratic character, was being pushed towards the RSS fold.

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He alleged that those who were expected to guide the higher education sector on a neutral and secular path were instead helping the RSS advance its agenda.

"It is a matter of shame for Kerala that these three vice chancellors continue to head universities," he said.

BJP hits back

The Chief Minister’s remarks were met with a sharp response from BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who, in a post on X, stated that the UDF government was dependent on the support of support of the Indian Union Muslim League and organisations such as Jamaat-e-Islami, adding that it has no moral authority to lecture others on secularism.

“It is unacceptable that a CM who takes an oath to uphold law and Constitution is now intimidating Vice-Chancellors for attending a public program with the respected head of @RSSorg @DrMohanBhagwat ji. Keralam CM conveniently forgets that his own government was formed at the mercy of radical outfits like Jamaat-e-Islami and the SDPI- forces that openly advocate for an "Islamic Republic" in India,” he added.

(With agency inputs)