The controversy triggered by the rendition of a patriotic song (Gana Geetham) on board the Vande Bharat Express by students of Saraswathi Vidyaniketan Senior Higher Secondary School, Kochi, is gradually settling. The incident took place on November 8 during the inaugural ceremony of the Kochi–Bengaluru Vande Bharat at Ernakulam Railway Station. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the train virtually from Varanasi Railway Station.
As soon as the rendition was shared on the Southern Railway’s ‘X’ handle, both the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) came together to attack the children, the Railway, the BJP and the RSS. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s official ‘X’ handle claimed that the rendition violated Constitutional principles. He alleged that the song belonged to an “organisation known for its communal ideology and hate-mongering”, adding that democratic and secular forces should unite to resist what he called a dangerous move.
Education Minister and CPM leader V. Sivankutty said he had instructed the Director of Public Instruction to conduct a probe and submit a report. The DYFI issued a statement echoing the Chief Minister’s remarks. Higher Education Minister R. Bindu followed suit.
Kerala LoP V. D. Satheeshan and Congress leader K. C. Venugopal also criticised the children and the Southern Railway.
However, interestingly, no government official has initiated any formal enquiry into the matter. School Principal K. P. Dinto reiterated to ‘Organiser’ what he had told the media immediately after the incident. He said he was puzzled by the General Education Minister’s direction to conduct a probe. The Southern Railway had not asked the children to sing the song; they sang it spontaneously. He added that the state government has no jurisdiction over CBSE schools. If the government attempts any punitive action, including interference with the NoC it issued decades ago before the CBSE-affiliation process, the school will pursue legal remedies.
P. Kuttikrishnan, President of the Rashtra Dharma Parishad, the charitable trust that runs the school, told Organiser that the management is prepared for any legal battle should the state government place obstacles in the school’s path.
Kuttikrishnan said that when the controversy peaked, the Southern Railway removed the video of the rendition from its ‘X’ handle. He immediately lodged a protest with the offices of the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister, and sent copies to Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurien. Following this, the Southern Railway reposted the video along with an English translation.
Students of Saraswathi Vidyaniketan rendered the same song during the school assembly on 10 November, the first working day after the controversy. Malayalam TV channels broadcast the performance live.
The song has now become immensely popular, thanks to the negative publicity generated by both the LDF and the UDF. It has gone viral on YouTube and across social media platforms. Its simple yet meaningful lyrics and melodious tune have captivated listeners. Although orchestra groups, bhajan troupes and students have long been performing this song at youth festivals across Kerala and beyond, its popularity has now reached unprecedented heights. Many people are left wondering how such a positive and uplifting composition became the centre of a political storm.
The song rendered was:
Paramapavithramamee mannil
Bharathambaye poojikkan
Punyavaahinee sevanamekum
Poonkvangalundivide ……
The lyrics describe the geography of Bharat, refer to revered social reformers and spiritual leaders such as Vivekananda, Aurobindo, Sree Narayana Guru, Bhagat Singh, Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai, Sri Ramakrishna, Samartha Ramadas and others. It also praise the nation’s rivers, gardens and natural beauty, highlighting unity in diversity. The song contains no references to any religion, caste or political organisation. It is entirely positive and devoid of negativity.
