CUK Vande Mataram seminar draws student organisations’ ire
Student organizations at the Central University of Kerala are protesting a seminar on the national song 'Vande Mataram' due to the involvement of groups they claim are ideologically linked to the RSS. The students are demanding transparency regarding the university's institutional basis for the event.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights ongoing tensions regarding ideological influence and secularism within Indian public universities.
CUK Vande Mataram seminar draws student organisations’ ire left https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/uhjlx8/article71544797.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/tv01cukks SFI, NSUI and MSF seek clarity from university administration on the programme’s nature, objectives and institutional basis KASARAGOD Students’ organisations at the Central University of Kerala (CUK) have raised strong objections to the participation of groups and individuals whom they describe as ideologically aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in a national seminar being organised to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram. The two-day seminar is scheduled to be held on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) and Wednesday (October 7, 2026) at the Library seminar hall of the university. The participation of J. Nandakumar, national convenor of Prajna Pravah, as the keynote speaker and the role of the Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad as a co-organiser have emerged as the main points of contention among the student organisations.
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