Kerala Governor, VCs attend RSS-linked Gyan Sabha event amid saffronisation row; Mohan Bhagwat says ‘Bharat must stay Bharat’

Kochi: Reports have emerged that Vice-Chancellors from four major universities in Kerala—Kerala University, Kannur University, Calicut University, and the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS)—attended the national education conference ‘Gyan Sabha’ in Kochi on Sunday. The event is linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and featured Rashtriya RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

The participation has triggered political attention, as the event was held under the banner of the RSS-affiliated Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, and the attendees included senior academicians from across the country.

The presence of Kerala Vice-Chancellors came despite opposition from the ruling CPM and student organisations.

CPM state secretary M V Govindan had criticised the move, calling it “shameful” and part of an effort to “saffronise” the state’s higher education institutions.

“Inviting VCs was part of continuing saffronisation of universities,” Govindan said at a press conference on Friday. He further stated that the party would strongly oppose the participation of Vice-Chancellors in such platforms attended by RSS leaders.

Meanwhile, the Fraternity Movement—the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami’s Welfare Party—issued a statement warning of “strong protests” if the Vice-Chancellors attended the RSS meet. The group said it would not permit the “Hindutva-ization” of Kerala’s higher education sector.

The presence of VCs is being seen as part of the larger and ongoing tension between the Governor and the Left-led state government—an equation strained by issues including the saffron flag-carrying ‘Bharat Mata’ portrait at the Raj Bhavan and disputes over university governance.

‘Bharat must not be translated’, says Bhagwat

In his address, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stressed that ‘Bharat’ should not be translated, arguing that doing so would lead to the loss of the country's unique identity and international respect.

“‘India is Bharat’. That is true. But Bharat is Bharat. That is why, while talking, writing and speaking, be it personal or public, we should keep Bharat as Bharat,” he said.

He described Bharat as a proper noun, stating: “The identity of Bharat is respected because it is Bharat. If you lose your identity, whatever other meritorious qualities you may have, you will never be respected or secure in this world. That is the thumb rule.”

Bhagwat also spoke about the need for India to become powerful and economically strong—not to dominate others, but to serve global good.

“The world understands power. So Bharat should become strong. It also has to become wealthy from an economic perspective,” he said. “It is necessary because the world understands power... but not to rule over others—to help the world.”

Focusing on education, Bhagwat said it should nurture inner characteristics and enable self-sufficiency. He emphasised that education is not limited to classrooms but also shaped by home and societal environments.

According to him, “Bharatiya education teaches sacrifice and living for others.” Anything promoting selfishness, he said, could not be considered true education.

He concluded that society must reflect on the kind of atmosphere it creates for the next generation and work towards instilling responsibility and confidence.