Kerala V-C's Vande Mataram remark at RSS event draws SFI criticism
University of Kerala Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal has again found himself at the centre of a controversy after remarks he made about the national song 'Vande Mataram' at a youth gathering organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Kerala on Saturday.
Speaking at the 'Sankalp 2026' event held on the occasion of Independence Day, Mr. Kunnummal said that those opposing the singing of Vande Mataram do not know who their mother is. He went on to explain that in Indian tradition, the motherland is considered supreme, and that is why the term 'Bharatamba' is used and Vande Mataram is sung.
"Vande Mataram is sung because Bharatabhoomi is a mother. Those who do not know their mother are the ones opposing use of Vande Mataram. Those who know their mother, what being a mother means will always say Vande Mataram. That is how it should be," he said.
The remarks drew sharp condemnation from the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). SFI State Secretary P.S. Sanjeev took to social media to criticise the V-C, stating that Mr. Kunnummal was confident he would face no action from the Congress-led government in the state for such conduct.
When contacted by The Hindu, Mr. Kunnummal offered a clarification, saying his reference to 'mother' was part of a long speech and was about the motherland. He noted that in the eastern tradition, the term 'motherland' is used, whereas in the western tradition, 'fatherland' is used. He added that those who did not understand the concept of motherland would do so in time, and for Indians, the motherland is paramount, hence the reference to Vande Mataram.
This is not the first time the Vice-Chancellor in-charge has been involved in a controversy. His earlier remarks and actions have also drawn criticism from various quarters. However, the latest incident has reignited the debate over the place of Vande Mataram in public life and the role of educational administrators in such discussions.
Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has been a significant part of India's freedom struggle and is considered the national song of India. While it is widely respected, there have been occasional disagreements over its singing in certain contexts, particularly involving religious sentiments. The song has also been a matter of political interpretation over the years.
The event 'Sankalp 2026' was organised by the RSS as a youth gathering to mark Independence Day, bringing together young participants from various parts of the state. Mr. Kunnummal's address at the event was intended to convey a message on the occasion, but it has instead sparked a fresh political row.
As the controversy continues to generate reactions on social media and in political circles, the university administration has not issued any formal statement beyond the V-C's clarification. The SFI has called for action against Mr. Kunnummal, but no official complaint has been filed so far.
