Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal sparked a fresh controversy on Saturday after saying that those who oppose saying “Vande Mataram” “do not know who their mother is”.
Kunnummal made the remarks while speaking at an RSS youth gathering, ‘Sankalp 2026 Yuva Sangamam’, in Manivila, Thiruvananthapuram.
Discussing the concept of Bharat Mata and the role of families in preparing children for a developed India, he said the country is described as “Mother India” and connected that idea with 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 said this responsibility was particularly significant for women because India itself is 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 went on to say that those who objected to saying “Vande Mataram” were people who “do not know who their mother is”, while those who understood the meaning of a mother would sing the national song.
The comments come amid a continuing political dispute in Kerala over the role of university Vice-Chancellors and their alleged links with the RSS.
Student organisations SFI and KSU have accused Kunnummal of promoting the RSS agenda at Kerala University. His appointment as Vice-Chancellor by the Kerala Governor has also faced criticism from both the LDF and UDF, which have alleged attempts to “saffronise” the state's education system.
The controversy has intensified amid criticism of Vice-Chancellors attending RSS-linked programmes. In Kerala, the Governor serves as Chancellor of universities and appoints Vice-Chancellors. Both the previous LDF government and the current UDF government have objected to appointments to senior university positions.
Kunnummal’s remarks also come against the backdrop of the state government choosing not to recite “Vande Mataram” during its official Independence Day celebrations despite a directive from the Union government.
His appearance at the RSS youth gathering is therefore likely to further fuel the political debate surrounding university appointments, ideological influence in higher education and the place of “Vande Mataram” in official and public events.
