CM V D Satheesan Breaks Silence on VCs Attending RSS Event, Demands Public Apology

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V D Satheesan broke his silence on Sunday over the attendance of three university Vice Chancellors at an RSS program, responding through a Facebook post after hours of controversy during which his failure to react had itself become a flashpoint. Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier in the day pointedly highlighted the Chief Minister's prolonged silence at a press conference.

Satheesan said he views the incident with utmost seriousness, describing it as a grave lapse on the part of the Vice Chancellors — one unbecoming of Keralam's educational traditions and the dignity of their office. He demanded that all three VCs who attended the RSS event offer a public apology to Keralam.

The three Vice Chancellors — Dr Mohanan Kunnummal of Kerala University, Prof D Mavooth of Mahatma Gandhi University, and Dr C R Prasad of Malayalam University — attended a 'Prabhashana Sabha' addressed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at Udaya Palace Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram, in connection with the RSS centenary celebrations. They arrived in their official vehicles, in violation of established norms. The Governor's Officer on Special Duty, Hari S Kartha, also attended the event.

At the gathering — from which media were barred — Bhagwat told those present that India is a Hindu nation and called on everyone to join the RSS.