‘Grave Lapse’: Kerala CM After Three VCs Attend RSS Event, BJP Hits Back

Published 15 June 2026 · politics

‘Grave Lapse’: Kerala CM After Three VCs Attend RSS Event, BJP Hits Back Curated By, Last Updated: June 15, 2026, 14:32 IST Kerala politics erupt

‘Grave Lapse’: Kerala CM After Three VCs Attend RSS Event, BJP Hits Back Curated By, Last Updated: June 15, 2026, 14:32 IST Kerala politics erupt as three Vice Chancellors attend RSS centenary event with Mohan Bhagwat. CM VD Satheesan and Pinarayi Vijayan condemn the move, BJP hits back. File image of Kerala CM VD Satheesan. A massive political row erupted in Kerala after three Vice-Chancellors participated in a function addressed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Kerala CM VD Satheesan reacted sharply to the development and described it as a “grave lapse." Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan also criticised the officials and called it an “attempt by RSS to control higher education." BJP also responded to the allegations and hit back at the opposition. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar slammed VD Satheesan’s remarks and said the Congress-led UDF government was practising “appeasement politics." The Vice-Chancellors of Kerala University, Mahatma Gandhi University, and Malayalam University attended the RSS centenary programme held in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Kerala CM Demands Apology From VCs In a social media post, CM Satheesan demanded apologies from the VCs and wrote: “We view with utmost seriousness the participation of three Vice-Chancellors in an #RSS centenary event addressed by Sarsanghchalak #MohanBhagwat.

This is a grave lapse. Their action is unbecoming of Keralam’s educational tradition and the dignity of their office." “The people of Keralam hold the post of vice-chancellor in high esteem. By attending a programme led by an RSS leader who preaches extreme communalism, they have undermined that respect. Any act that promotes communalism, whoever commits it, is unacceptable and will not be condoned. All three vice-chancellors who attended the RSS programme must apologise to the people of Keralam," he added. We view with utmost seriousness the participation of three Vice-Chancellors in an #RSS centenary event addressed by Sarsanghchalak #MohanBhagwat. This is a grave lapse. Their action is unbecoming of Keralam’s educational tradition and the dignity of their office.The people of… V D Satheesan (@vdsatheesan) June 14, 2026 E CM Pinarayi Vijayan Slammed RSS Addressing a press conference, the former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan slammed RSS and said the participation of three Vice-Chancellors in the programme attended by Bhagwat was a matter of grave concern. “Three Vice-Chancellors from Kerala universities participated in that event.

This is a matter that secular Kerala views with utmost seriousness," he said. “This is a clear example of how the RSS is trying to tighten its grip over the higher education sector," he alleged. Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan also criticised the officials and called it an “attempt by RSS to control higher education." BJP Criticises Kerala CM BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar reacted heavily to the Kerala CM’s post and said the chief minister has no moral authority to lecture others on secularism or constitutional values. “Someone who has normalised radical Islam and organisations such as Jamaat-e-Islami, and who is in power only because of the support of the Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami, must not talk about supporting secularism or respecting the Constitution," he alleged. Let us be very clear and honest with the people of Keralam, CM @vdsatheesanSomeone who has normalised radical Islam, anti-Constitution, anti-secular organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami and who is in power only – repeat – only, because of support of Muslim League +… Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) June 14, 2026 Chandrasekhar added that it was unacceptable for a chief minister sworn to uphold the Constitution to criticise Vice-Chancellors for attending a public programme addressed by the RSS chief.