Thiruvananthapuram: The participation of three Kerala Vice Chancellors in an RSS centenary event attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has triggered a major political controversy, drawing strong reactions from Congress leaders and a sharp counterattack from the BJP. to progressive Kerala.” He argued that individuals influenced by an ideology that, according to him, undermined India’s freedom struggle and secular values are unfit to lead prestigious educational institutions.
Venugopal said the Vice Chancellors should resign and openly align themselves with the RSS if they wish to associate with the organisation. He further asserted that academic leadership must be rooted in constitutional values, secularism, democracy, and scholarly excellence rather than ideological loyalty.
V.D. Satheesan Demands Apology
Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan termed the participation of the Vice Chancellors a “grave lapse” and said their actions were inconsistent with Kerala’s academic traditions and the dignity of their offices.
“The people of Kerala hold the post of Vice Chancellor in high esteem. By attending a programme led by an RSS leader, they have diminished that respect,” Satheesan said. He demanded that the three Vice Chancellors publicly apologise to the people of Kerala and reiterated that any action promoting communalism would not be accepted. s within higher education institutions. Congress leaders maintained that universities must remain politically neutral and uphold constitutional and secular principles.
BJP Defends Participation
The BJP strongly rejected the criticism. Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused the Congress leadership of hypocrisy and vote-bank politics.
Responding to Satheesan’s remarks, Chandrasekhar said the government had no moral authority to lecture others on secularism while allegedly relying on support from organisations it had previously criticised. He also accused Congress and Left parties of attempting to intimidate academic leaders merely for attending a public event addressed by Mohan Bhagwat.
