Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 8:
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly criticized the inclusion of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-linked song during the launch of the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, calling it a “dangerous move” and an attempt to infuse ideological propaganda into a government function.
The controversy erupted when, during the inaugural ceremony of the new Vande Bharat train in Kochi, a musical performance featured a song reportedly associated with the RSS. The Chief Minister accused the Indian Railways of allowing political and ideological overtones in what should have been a non-partisan national event. Vijayan said, “It is a dangerous move to convert a national railway event into an ideological platform,” warning that such attempts could polarize public institutions that are meant to serve all citizens equally.
The Vande Bharat Express, connecting Ernakulam in Kerala with Bengaluru in Karnataka, was launched as part of the Centre’s ongoing expansion of high-speed semi-luxury train services. The event was attended by BJP leaders and officials from the Ministry of Railways. However, reports indicated that the musical performance included a song reflecting RSS ideology, sparking criticism from opposition parties, especially the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), led by Vijayan, said the incident represented an effort to saffronize public events and blur the line between government and political organization. The Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) also expressed concerns, saying that the Railways should remain ideologically neutral and that events funded by public money should not feature material linked to any religious or political group.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders in Kerala dismissed the allegations, saying the song was part of a patriotic cultural performance and that the opposition was politicizing a non-issue.
The incident has reignited the debate over secularism and neutrality in public institutions, especially in southern India where ideological contestation between the BJP and regional parties remains sharp. Kerala, known for its secular political landscape, has repeatedly accused the central government of using cultural and national events for political messaging.
The Kerala government is expected to raise the issue formally with the Ministry of Railways, seeking clarification on the approval process for the event’s cultural content. The controversy may also influence the political narrative in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections, where secularism and central influence in state affairs are expected to be major campaign themes.
