Published Jun 14, 2026 | 7:55 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 14, 2026 | 8:04 PM
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
Synopsis: Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan has demanded an apology from three university Vice-Chancellors who attended an RSS centenary event in Thiruvananthapuram, saying their participation was inconsistent with the dignity of their offices and Kerala’s educational traditions.
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan has demanded an apology from three Kerala university Vice-Chancellors for attending an event commemorating the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Thiruvananthapuram on 13 June, calling their participation a serious lapse inconsistent with Kerala’s educational traditions and the dignity of the offices they hold.
“Kerala society has respect for Vice-Chancellors. But they have now participated in an event where racism is being highlighted. They have to apologise to the people of Kerala. Such acts by people holding these positions cannot be condoned,” the Chief Minister told South First.
The event, part of the lecture series “100 Years of Sangh Journey—New Horizons”, featured RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who is currently in Kerala on a three-day tour.
The Vice-Chancellors who attended the programme were Dr Mohanan Kunnummal, Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Health Sciences; Dr D Mathew, Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University; and Dr CR Prasad, Vice-Chancellor of Malayalam University.
The trio—seen as being close to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who has the authority to appoint Vice-Chancellors—were present as organisers of the celebrations.
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The Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) cautioned Vice-Chancellors against functioning as extensions of political power centres, stressing that they must uphold university autonomy, academic freedom, neutrality and administrative sensitivity.
The association warned against attempts to steer state universities in directions unsuited to Kerala and said people would resist any move that promotes narrow political or communal interests.
Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that the state government’s reluctance to confront Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar had enabled the RSS to deepen its influence in the higher education sector.
He alleged that efforts to bring universities under Sangh Parivar influence began with the appointment of former Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and recalled that the previous LDF government had resisted such moves, including through legislation aimed at protecting higher education from what he described as saffronisation.
CPI(M) State Secretary MV Govindan also criticised the Vice-Chancellors’ attendance, alleging that it reflected attempts to saffronise the higher education sector and calling for democratic resistance to such moves.
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South First had earlier reported about critics describe as a saffronisation agenda in Kerala’s higher education sector.
Over the past five years, the state has witnessed a prolonged and often bitter confrontation between the erstwhile LDF government and former Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
When Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar assumed office as Governor in January 2025, many expected a less confrontational relationship between Raj Bhavan and the state government.
However, while Khan, despite his association with the BJP, frequently justified his interventions on constitutional grounds, Arlekar has projected a more explicit ideological identity rooted in the RSS tradition.
The contrast between the two Governors has become increasingly evident. Khan’s major confrontations largely centred on university governance, appointments and questions of institutional autonomy. Under Arlekar, however, disputes have expanded beyond administrative matters into the realm of cultural and political symbolism.
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BJP MLA V Muraleedharan defended the VCs’ participation, noting that the RSS is not a banned organisation and demanded critics identify any university rule that bars VCs from attending its events.
He said that if such a regulation exists, the government should pursue legal action instead of attempting to intimidate participants.
Muraleedharan noted that VCs across the country have attended RSS centenary events and pointed out that PM Modi himself has an RSS background.
He accused both the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition of targeting the RSS to appease minority groups such as Jamaat e Islami and SDPI.
He also recalled that the Union government had lifted restrictions on government employees participating in RSS activities in 2024.
Describing the RSS as part of India’s cultural fabric, Muraleedharan said efforts to malign the organisation would fail and urged the Left to reflect on its own political decline.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
