Bengaluru- The Kerala government has ordered an investigation into reports that school students were made to sing an RSS song during the inaugural journey of the Vande Bharat Express from Ernakulam to Bengaluru.
General Education Minister V. Sivankutty directed the Director of Public Instructions (DPI) to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report at the earliest. In an official statement, the minister said the state government considers the matter “extremely serious.”
Sivankutty stated that using children to promote the agenda of any particular group at government functions violates constitutional values. “The DPI has been directed to immediately conduct an inquiry and submit a report. Further action will be taken based on the findings,” he said.
The probe will examine whether there were any procedural lapses in involving students in the event. The minister emphasized that the government has a duty to uphold secular and national principles and will take steps to ensure such values are maintained.
However, Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Tourism Suresh Gopi defended the act, describing it as part of an innocent celebration. Speaking to reporters in Thrissur, he said, “The children sang the song spontaneously. It’s not an extremist song.”
The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing students singing an RSS song on board the Vande Bharat Express during its inaugural trip, drawing criticism from opposition leaders and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The chief minister condemned the Southern Railway for allowing the act, saying it was unacceptable and “deserves strong protest.”
