Published Sep 05, 2026 | 1:28 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 05, 2026 | 1:28 PM
Pinarayi accused the police personnel of brutally lathicharging students. (Photo | Special Arrangement)
Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has written a strong protest note to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge over the police action against the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) representatives during a protest at the University of Kerala.
Pinarayi alleged that the UDF government in Keralam was adopting policies that favour the Sangh Parivar agenda.
In his letter, Pinarayi accused the police personnel of brutally lathicharging students who were peacefully protesting against the decision to sing the full version of Vande Mataram at the University of Kerala.
He particularly objected to policemen attacking female students in the absence of women police officers, describing it as a serious violation of established legal procedures.
Pinarayi said there had been a broad consensus since the freedom movement to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram in view of India’s pluralistic character and constitutional values.
He alleged that the Sangh Parivar was now attempting to overturn this decades-old consensus and that the Congress-led government in Kerala was adopting a similar position.
He also accused the Congress leadership of taking contradictory positions on student protests.
While the Congress at the national level has supported student protests and criticised police action by the Central Government and Delhi Police, the party’s government in Keralam was using what he termed a “fascist” approach against students, he alleged.
Pinarayi also referred to reports of Sonia Gandhi expressing dissatisfaction over the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at the AICC headquarters.
The Opposition leader further criticised the state government’s stand before the court on amending the University Act in line with UGC regulations.
He alleged that the move amounted to accepting the Governor’s complete supremacy over universities and represented a surrender to attempts by the Central Government and the Sangh Parivar to gain greater control over higher education institutions.
Pinarayi Vijayan urged Kharge to urgently intervene and ensure that the Congress leadership in Keralam reverses what he described as its “Sangh Parivar appeasement” policies and takes action against the alleged police atrocities targeting students.
Also Read:
Explained | Vande Mataram: The history behind Congress’ two-stanza decision—is the BJP ignoring it?
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
