Ideally, children are encouraged to learn nationalistic and patriotic songs, as they represent the future of the country. However, the CPM and Congress finds faults and objected to the nationalist song Ganageetham, sung by students during the inaugural ceremony of the Vande Bharat train service from Bengaluru to Kochi on November 8. Instead of appreciating the cultural spirit of the moment, both parties have politicised the rendition, calling it “protestable” and accusing the song belongs to RSS, although it is widely sung on various occasions by all nationalists.
The students of Saraswathi Vidyalaya beautifully performed their school song during the inaugural run of the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express pic.twitter.com/uvauXy9e6k
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) November 8, 2025
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in his latest criticism directed at the RSS, finds fault with school children singing gangeet during the online flag-off of the train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi Railway Station. Vijayan condemned the incident, claiming it reflected the Railways’ support for an RSS communal agenda.
The @GMSRailway making students sing the RSS anthem at the flag-off of the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express is highly condemnable. Including the anthem of an organisation known for its communal ideology and hate mongering in an official event is a blatant violation of…
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) November 8, 2025
BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar issued a sharp rebuttal to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s criticism of schoolchildren singing Ganageetham during the Vande Bharat event, questioning what exactly the Chief Minister found “protestable” in the incident. In his statement, Chandrasekhar asked whether the objection was to children singing songs they love or to children expressing patriotic sentiments on a day when they were witnessing the technological capability of New India through the Vande Bharat train.
Chandrasekhar criticised the Chief Minister for what he described as disrespect towards children’s constitutional right to free speech, saying a leader sworn to uphold the Constitution should not object to children singing patriotic Malayalam songs. He added that the BJP would not allow any intimidation of children in schools, on Vande Bharat trains or anywhere in Kerala.
The BJP leader further stated that the State Government’s focus should be on addressing critical issues affecting Kerala. He cited the collapse of the healthcare system, which he said contributed to the death of a patient in Thiruvananthapuram; the Education Minister’s own admission that 75 per cent of schools in the state are unsafe; and alleged corruption in Devaswom Boards, including missing Sabarimala gold and unaccounted funds in Guruvayur.
He concluded by saying that the singing of patriotic Malayalam songs by children should be celebrated, not politicised.
What exactly are you condemning CM @pinarayivijayan ?
That some children sang songs? or
That children sang songs they love ? or
That children sang patriotic songs about their motherland ?What exactly bothers you when children do what children are supposed to do – celebrate… https://t.co/NKpLmev2Zw
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) November 8, 2025
Students showcased their creative artworks and paintings aboard the inaugural Ernakulam–Bengaluru #VandeBharatExpress, expressing their excitement about the train’s contemporary design, refined interiors and exceptional comfort. pic.twitter.com/ZgmYOooKQg
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) November 8, 2025
The song rendered was:
Paramapavithramamee mannil
Bharathambaye poojikkan
Punyavaahinee sevanamekum
Poonkvangalundivide ……
The song describes the geography of Bharat and mentions social reformers and spiritual icons such as Vivekananda, Aurobindo, Sree Narayana Guru, Bhagat Singh, Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai, Sree Ramakrishna and Samartha Ramadas, among others.
It also speaks of divine rivers, lush gardens, flowers and the cultural landscape. The lyrics highlights unity in diversity. Notably, the song does not contain a single reference to any religion, caste or political party. It is entirely positive, without an iota of negativity.
But CM Pinarayi Vijayan chose to view the song through a negative lens. His statement described the incident as “extremely protestable” and unacceptable
It may be recalled that Pinarayi, his ministerial colleagues, the CPM and other constituents of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) had earlier criticised the Governor for displaying a decorated picture of Bharat Mata at a Raj Bhavan event. The latest attack is merely a continuation of such baseless allegations.
The DYFI also issued a statement echoing Pinarayi Vijayan’s stance.
Congress leader K.C. Venugopal demanded an inquiry into the “misuse of schoolchildren” and the “politicisation” of an official event. In doing so, the Congress once again appeared more royal than the king.
The new Vande Bharat service between Kochi and Bengaluru is the first inter-state Vande Bharat service for Kerala. It links the state with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. With this, twelve pairs of Vande Bharat trains now operate under the Southern Railway jurisdiction. The formal programme in Ernakulam was attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar, Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurien, Kochi Mayor Adv. M. Anilkumar, State Minister P. Rajeev, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar, senior leader P.K. Krishnadas and several dignitaries.
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