Controversy in Kerala Over Vice-Chancellors' RSS Event Attendance

Kerala is currently witnessing a significant controversy following the participation of several university Vice-Chancellors in an event organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Three Vice-Chancellors, representing Kerala University, MG University, and Malayalam University, attended a centenary celebration of the RSS, which was addressed by its chief, Mohan Bhagwat, in Thiruvananthapuram.

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan labelled their involvement as a serious issue and has called for the Vice-Chancellors to publicly apologise to the people of Kerala. In a statement on social media, he expressed that their participation contradicts the educational traditions of Kerala and diminishes the dignity associated with the Vice-Chancellorship. Satheesan stated, “Any action that promotes communalism, regardless of its source, is unacceptable.”

The event took place at the Uday Palace convention centre, and reports indicate that media access was restricted, further raising concerns regarding transparency. The Vice-Chancellors in question are Dr Mohanan Kunnummal from Kerala University, Pro D Mavoothu from MG University, and Dr CR Prasad from Malayalam University.

In his statement, Satheesan stressed that such actions by leaders in education undermine the respect traditionally held for their positions in the state. He elaborated that by participating in an event featuring a leader known for promoting extreme communalism, the Vice-Chancellors have eroded the public's trust in their offices.

The controversy has also drawn criticism from the Student Federation of India (SFI), the student arm of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). SFI condemned the Vice-Chancellors for their attendance, asserting that it challenges the secular ethos of Kerala. Furthermore, SFI claimed that the Vice-Chancellors arrived in official vehicles, allegedly breaching established norms.

The criticism extends to the broader implications of the event, with SFI accusing the Vice-Chancellors of enabling the Union government’s efforts to integrate RSS ideologies into educational and constitutional institutions. “This is yet another example of VCs in Kerala acting in support of the Union government’s efforts to saffronise universities and constitutional institutions in accordance with the RSS vision,” SFI stated.

This incident is not isolated; in July 2022, four Vice-Chancellors from various universities attended a similar RSS-affiliated event called 'Gyan Sabha' (Knowledge Conclave), which was organised by the Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas (SSUN), the educational wing of the RSS. The attendees included Dr Mohanan Kunnummal from Kerala Health Science University and other leading university officials.

As public discourse around the role of educational leaders in political events intensifies, the demand for accountability from educational institutions remains a focal point for many in Kerala, a state that prides itself on its secular foundations and educational standards.