Responding to the controversy, DYFI (Democratic Youth Federation of India) has announced a protest march on Saturday evening.
Published Nov 08, 2025 | 4:11 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 08, 2025 | 6:20 PM
Vande Bharat Express. (X)
Synopsis: The video, which was initially shared by the Southern Railway on their social media handles, calling it a patriotic song, was deleted after drawing criticism from opposition parties and social media users alleging attempts to saffronise a government event.
A row erupted after school students were reportedly made to sing the RSS Gana Geetham during the inauguration of the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express on Saturday, 8 November.
The video, which was initially shared by the Southern Railway on their social media handles, calling it a patriotic song, was deleted after drawing criticism from opposition parties and social media users alleging attempts to saffronise a government event.
The incident occurred at Ernakulam South railway station, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, and State Industries Minister P. Rajeev were present.
Responding to the controversy, DYFI (Democratic Youth Federation of India) has announced a protest march on Saturday evening.
CPI-M MP John Brittas too criticised the move, and wrote on X: “The RSS Ganageetham formed an integral part of the highly politicised inauguration of the new Vande Bharat service between Ernakulam and Bangalore. Indian Railways has stooped to new depths, as even the announcement of new services is now marked by political fanfare while sidelining people’s representatives.”
The RSS Ganageetham formed an integral part of the highly politicised inauguration of the new Vande Bharat service between Ernakulam and Bangalore. Indian Railways has stooped to new depths, as even the announcement of new services is now marked by political fanfare while… pic.twitter.com/wWIhQszTvS
— John Brittas (@JohnBrittas) November 8, 2025
The Ernakulam- Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, along with three other Vande Bharat Express trains on Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi routes.
Delighted to flag off four Vande Bharat trains. These will enhance connectivity and provide greater comfort for citizens.
https://t.co/kHl2ufYLoF— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 8, 2025
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the Southern Railway after reports surfaced that school students were made to sing an RSS song onboard the newly launched Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express.
In a statement from the CMO, Vijayan said the act was unacceptable and violated constitutional values. He alleged that the Railways, a key public sector body, was being misused by the Sangh Parivar for communal propaganda.
Calling it an attempt to inject Hindutva politics into a government event, the CM urged people to protest such divisive actions. The Southern Railway later removed the social media post after facing backlash.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
