Key Facts
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Sunday strongly condemned three vice-chancellors for attending a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) centenary event addressed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. The CM termed their participation a 'grave lapse' and demanded an apology to the people of Kerala.
The event, titled '100 years of Sangh journey - New horizons', was held in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday as part of the RSS centenary celebrations.
CM's Strong Reaction
In a post on X, Satheesan said, 'We view with utmost seriousness the participation of three Vice-Chancellors in an RSS centenary event addressed by Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat. This is a grave lapse. Their action is unbecoming of Kerala's educational tradition and the dignity of their office.'
The Congress chief minister emphasized that the post of vice-chancellor is held in high esteem by the people, and attending a programme led by an RSS leader 'who preaches extreme communalism' undermines that respect. He added, 'Any act that promotes communalism, whoever commits it, it is unacceptable and will not be condoned. All three vice-chancellors who attended the RSS programme must apologise to the people of Kerala.'
Opposition and Ruling Party Reactions
Leader of the opposition Pinarayi Vijayan also condemned the VCs' participation, stating that secular Kerala views it with 'utmost seriousness'. He linked the incident to broader concerns about the RSS agenda in higher education, saying, 'Debates are happening around the imposition of Sangh Parivar agenda in the state's universities. It is a clear example of how the RSS is trying to exert its control over the higher education sector in India.'
Meanwhile, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar hit back at the CM, accusing him of intimidation and appeasement politics. In a social media post, Chandrasekhar said, 'It is unacceptable that a chief minister who has taken an oath to uphold the law and the Constitution is now intimidating Vice Chancellors for attending a public programme with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.' He further alleged that the Congress-led UDF government was dependent on organizations advocating religious politics and that 'the days of treating the BJP and RSS as a way to fear-monger and mobilise votes are over.'
Details of the Event and Attendees
The three vice-chancellors who attended the RSS event were: Kerala University of Health Sciences V-C Mohanan Kunnummal, Mahatma Gandhi University VC-in-charge Mavoothu D, and Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University VC-in-charge CR Prasad. They were present at the lecture delivered by Mohan Bhagwat in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
Impact and What Readers Should Know
This incident has sparked a political row in Kerala, with the ruling Congress-led UDF and the opposition CPI(M) uniting against the RSS, while the BJP defends the VCs' right to attend public events. The controversy highlights the ongoing ideological battle over the role of the RSS in educational institutions. The CM's strong stance may influence future interactions between university officials and political or ideological organizations.
FAQ
- Why did Kerala CM condemn the vice-chancellors? CM VD Satheesan said their participation in an RSS event addressed by Mohan Bhagwat was a grave lapse and unbecoming of Kerala's educational traditions, as it promoted communalism.
- Which vice-chancellors attended the RSS event? Kerala University of Health Sciences V-C Mohanan Kunnummal, Mahatma Gandhi University VC-in-charge Mavoothu D, and Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University VC-in-charge CR Prasad attended the RSS centenary lecture.
- What was the response from the BJP? BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticized the CM, accusing him of intimidation and appeasement politics, and defended the VCs' right to attend a public programme.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com