UDF Government Surrendering to BJP-RSS Agenda: M V Govindan

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) Kerala State Secretary M V Govindan has alleged that the UDF government is increasingly aligning itself with BJP policies after what he described as the UDF’s political proximity to the BJP during the Assembly elections. He said the CPI(M) would strongly oppose any attempt to undermine Kerala’s secular education system.

Addressing the media, Govindan criticized the full rendition of the song Vande Mataram in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, claiming that it reflected the ideological influence of the RSS. He clarified that the CPI(M) is not opposed to singing Vande Mataram, but argued that even the Congress had historically opposed singing the song in its entirety. According to him, a decision had been taken as early as the 1930s that the complete version need not be sung. He also accused the Chief Minister and the government of failing to respond adequately to the controversy that followed.

Govindan further alleged that the government is attempting to appoint a person associated with the Sangh Parivar as Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University. He claimed that the appointment of a leader of a Sangh-affiliated teachers’ organization from CUSAT to oversee responsibilities at MG University was part of a broader effort to saffronize higher education institutions.

According to the CPI(M) leader, the UDF government failed to submit the required panel of candidates for the Vice-Chancellor position to the Governor on time, thereby facilitating what he termed an ideologically motivated appointment. He contrasted this with the previous LDF government's handling of Vice-Chancellor appointments, saying that it had followed established procedures by submitting a panel of three candidates for selection.

He also alleged irregularities in the process of constituting the search committee for appointing a new Vice-Chancellor at MG University. He claimed that a Senate meeting scheduled for the 26th was postponed after direct intervention by the Governor and the Higher Education Minister.

Concluding his remarks, M V Govindan accused the UDF government of yielding completely to the Sangh Parivar’s agenda and warned that such developments posed a threat to Kerala’s secular educational framework. He called on the public and democratic forces to remain vigilant and work towards protecting and strengthening the state's secular education system.