A political controversy has erupted in Kerala after three Vice-Chancellors attended an RSS centenary programme addressed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan termed their participation a "grave lapse" and said it was against the traditions and dignity associated with higher education institutions. He demanded that the Vice-Chancellors apologise to the people of Kerala.
The remarks triggered a sharp response from BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who defended the Vice-Chancellors and accused the Chief Minister of hypocrisy, escalating the political row. Chandrasekhar questioned the Chief Minister's stance, highlighting that the Vice-Chancellors had merely attended a cultural event and were not violating any rules.
Satheesan, however, maintained that the involvement of academic heads in a political organization's event compromises the neutrality of educational institutions. He emphasized that such actions set a wrong precedent and undermine the secular fabric of the state's education system.
The BJP countered by pointing out that the Chief Minister himself had attended events organized by other political and religious groups in the past. Chandrasekhar accused the state government of selective outrage and double standards.
The row has now become a major flashpoint in Kerala politics, with both sides digging in their heels. The Vice-Chancellors involved have not yet responded to the controversy, but the issue is expected to be raised in the state assembly.
