A political row has erupted in Kerala after students from a Kochi school sang a song linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during the Vande Bharat Express flag-off event.
Students from Saraswathi Vidyanikethan Public School, affiliated with the Vidya Bharathi network, performed the song during the train’s inaugural run between Ernakulam and Bengaluru. The performance video, shared by Southern Railway on social media, was later deleted following criticism.
Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty has ordered a probe, calling the incident a “serious violation of constitutional values.” He said using students for an ideological agenda cannot be justified. The inquiry will look into how the song was selected and whether school authorities violated norms.
School principal K.P. Dinto said the children chose the song themselves, describing it as a patriotic number about unity and love for the nation. Union Minister Suresh Gopi defended the students, calling the controversy unnecessary.
The state government has warned that the school could lose its operating license if found guilty of wrongdoing.
