Vande Mataram row: Kerala’s UDF govt. again faces allegations of toeing the RSS line
The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala is facing criticism from the Opposition for mandating the recitation of Vande Mataram during Independence Day celebrations. Critics argue the move aligns the government with the RSS agenda.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights the ongoing political friction in India regarding nationalistic symbols and the influence of right-wing ideology on state governance.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala has yet again found itself at the centre of allegations over toeing the Sangh Parivar’s line after the Chief Secretary’s recent directive asking government departments to ensure the recital of Vande Mataram in its entirety during the Independence Day celebrations, as per the Union government’s instructions.
Even as the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) lashed out at the UDF government for “surrendering completely” to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)’s agenda, the Ministers of the ruling front — including those from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) — found it hard to defend the order.
The Chief Minister’s office is yet to make an official reaction. The Vande Mataram controversy is the latest in a series of decisions of the UDF government, which have been criticised for following a pro-Sangh Parivar line.
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