Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal on Saturday triggered a fresh controversy after saying that people who oppose saying “Vande Mataram” “do not know who their mother is”.
Kunnummal made the remarks while addressing an RSS youth meet, ‘Sankalp 2026 Yuva Sangamam’, at Manivila in Thiruvananthapuram.
Speaking about the idea of Bharat Mata and the role of families in raising children for a developed India, he said the country is referred to as “Mother India” and linked that symbolism to the use of “Vande Mataram”.
“These children have been placed in your homes for a developed India. The responsibility to raise them into brilliant children and exemplary citizens lies with every male and female head of the household,” he said.
Kunnummal added that this responsibility applied particularly to women because India itself was regarded as a mother.
“That is why when we pray, we say ‘Vande Mataram’. It is our mother. That is why we say and sing ‘Vande Mataram’,” he said.
He then added that those who opposed saying “Vande Mataram” were people who “do not know who their mother is”, while those who understood what a mother meant would say the national song.
The remarks come amid an ongoing political row in Kerala over the role of university Vice-Chancellors and their alleged proximity to the RSS.
Student organisations SFI and KSU have accused Kunnummal of attempting to push the RSS agenda at Kerala University.
His appointment as Vice-Chancellor by the Kerala Governor has also been questioned by both the LDF and UDF, which have alleged attempts to “saffronise” the state’s education system.
The controversy has also been fuelled by criticism over Vice-Chancellors participating in RSS-linked events.
In Kerala, the Governor serves as Chancellor of universities and appoints Vice-Chancellors. Both the previous LDF government and the current UDF dispensation have raised objections over appointments to top university posts.
Kunnummal’s remarks also come against the backdrop of the state government not reciting “Vande Mataram” at its official Independence Day celebrations despite a directive from the Union government.
His speech at the RSS youth meet is therefore likely to add to the larger political debate over university appointments, ideological influence in higher education and the use of “Vande Mataram” in official and public events.
– Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Aug 15, 2026 21:22 IST
