Kerala School Row: 'Patriotic' Song or RSS Anthem? Vande Bharat Express Controversy Explodes

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A heated controversy has erupted in Kerala after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that students singing a song on the Vande Bharat Express were made to sing an 'RSS song'. However, the school has denied these claims, stating that the students were singing a patriotic Malayalam song that expresses reverence towards Bharat Mata and pride in the nation. The incident occurred on Saturday when students from Saraswathi Vidyalaya were onboard the newly inaugurated Vande Bharat Express from Ernakulam to Bengaluru. Southern Railways posted a video of the students singing the song, which was later deleted after the backlash. The school has since written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, clarifying that the song did not contain any words or sentiments against secularism or national unity. The controversy has sparked a debate, with the Congress party voicing opposition to the alleged incident. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, VD Satheesan, termed the act as 'illegal and undemocratic', while Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala described it as 'a highly despicable political conspiracy'. Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty has ordered an inquiry into the matter, stating that using students to promote political or communal agendas during government events is a violation of constitutional principles. The inquiry will examine whether there were lapses in involving students in an official function and whether the platform was misused for political or ideological purposes. The school has expressed its anguish over the turn of events, stating that the removal of the video from Southern Railways' social media account 'deeply saddened' the students, parents, teachers, and well-wishers. The school has also emphasized that the song is a patriotic anthem that promotes nationalism and pride in the nation. The incident has raised concerns about the use of government platforms for communal propaganda and the need to protect the secular national values of the country. Further action will be taken based on the inquiry report, as stated by the Education Minister.