Bhagwat’S ‘If Pakistan Damaged Beyond Repair’ Remark; And Kerala Vcs At RSS Event Trigger Political Row

Political Fallout from Bhagwat's Remarks and Kerala VCs' Attendance at RSS Event

The recent attendance of three vice chancellors from Kerala universities at an RSS event has ignited a political storm, with the CPI(M) and Congress-led opposition accusing them of contributing to the saffronization of higher education in the state. This controversy follows remarks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who suggested that Pakistan could be "damaged beyond repair," reigniting discussions on national security and dialogue with the neighboring country. His comments come in the wake of a statement from RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale, who advocated for maintaining communication channels with Pakistan while safeguarding India’s interests.

During the event, Bhagwat defended the RSS against accusations of being a political entity, asserting that it is often misunderstood. He emphasized that while many members engage in politics, the organization itself is not a political party and is not in opposition to specific societal groups or political factions. "It’s not a paramilitary organisation. It’s not a reaction to a particular situation," he stated, addressing the audience.

The presence of Kerala University, Mahatma Gandhi University, and Malayalam University vice chancellors—Mohanan Kunnummal, C.T. Aravindakumar, and C.R. Prasad—at the gathering has sparked further outrage. CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan condemned their participation, claiming it exemplifies the ongoing saffronization of education in the region. "It will destroy the secular fabric of the state," he warned, while also accusing the Congress-led UDF of complicity in these developments.

In response, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan expressed serious concern, demanding apologies from the vice chancellors. "By attending the programme of an RSS leader who espouses extreme communalism, they have undermined that respect," he stated, emphasizing that any actions promoting communalism are intolerable. The vice chancellors' attendance at the event continues to stir debate in Kerala regarding the integrity of its educational institutions and the role of political ideologies within them.