Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has drawn criticism after condemning three university vice-chancellors for attending an RSS programme addressed by Mohan Bhagwat. The event took place on June 13 in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the centenary of the RSS. The vice-chancellors named were Dr Mohanan Kunnummel of Kerala University of Health Sciences, Dr D. Mavoothu of Mahatma Gandhi University, and Dr Prasad of Malayalam University.
Satheesan described their participation as a serious lapse that undermined the dignity of their positions and the state’s educational traditions. He called for an apology to the people of Kerala. Higher Education Minister Roji M. John supported the remarks, while Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan said the move reflected efforts by the RSS to influence higher education.
BJP leaders responded by pointing to past instances of Congress figures attending RSS events. Party president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and senior leader V. Muraleedharan defended the vice-chancellors’ right to attend such programmes. They noted that the RSS promotes national unity and that past leaders including Mahatma Gandhi and Pranab Mukherjee have participated in its events. Observers have also stated that the vice-chancellors exercised their right to attend a private function held outside university premises.
