The participation of three university Vice-Chancellors in the programme attended by RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, who is in Kerala as part of the RSS centenary celebrations, is a highly serious and unacceptable mistake. At a time when we are taking a firm stand against the Sangh Parivar’s attempts to saffronise Kerala’s academic sector by using the Governor as an instrument, such actions from these Vice-Chancellors are deeply disturbing.
Such moves can only serve to undermine the secular and non-partisan character of our universities, erode their credibility, and transform campuses—where independent thought must flourish—into breeding grounds for divisiveness and hatred. These three Vice-Chancellors, who have committed a grave wrong against Kerala’s society and academic community, must publicly acknowledge their mistake and ensure that they stay away from such programmes in the future.
If we are to foster a healthy academic environment in higher education, our institutions must remain free from political encroachment. The willingness of those occupying the highest academic positions to compromise even the minimum standards of neutrality in the face of fascist agendas is a major embarrassment to democratic Kerala. The people of Kerala, committed to democratic and secular values, must stand united against these attempts to saffronise and take control of the higher education sector.