Vande Bharat Launch Saffronized: Children Sing RSS Gana Geetham, Railway Pulls Video After Backlash

Kochi: The Southern Railway has come under fire after a video showing schoolchildren singing a Gana Geetham — a song linked to the RSS — during the inaugural journey of the Ernakulam-KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express was shared on its official X page. The post, captioned as a “Patriotic Song,” was later withdrawn following public criticism.

In its X post, Southern Railway had written: “A melody of joy onboard the inaugural special Ernakulam – KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express! School students filled the coaches with patriotic songs, celebrating the spirit of the moment.” The video, however, is seen as an attempt to saffronize the inauguration ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express today via video conferencing from Varanasi. The inaugural journey commenced from Ernakulam South Station. The train’s regular service between Ernakulam and Bengaluru is scheduled to begin on November 11.