New Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat starts; controversy erupts over RSS song

The Ernakulam-KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, one of the four trains flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (November 8), is the first inter-state semi-high-speed premium service connecting Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, according to the Southern Railway. However, a controversy erupted in Kerala over the rendering of an RSS song during the inauguration.

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RSS song at Vande Bharat event

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has condemned the singing of the RSS "Ganageetam" by students during the event, calling the act "highly condemnable" and "a violation of constitutional principles".

"It is outrageous that the song of the RSS, an organisation known for spreading religious hatred and divisive politics, was included in an official government function," the Chief Minister said in a strongly worded statement. "Even the Indian Railways, one of the country’s largest public institutions, is now being misused by the Sangh Parivar for its sectarian political propaganda. Sharing the RSS hymn on social media under the guise of a patriotic song is not only laughable but also an insult to India’s national movement," he added.

He added that the Railways, which once stood as a pillar of India’s secular nationalism during the freedom struggle, is now being co-opted by the same forces that had stayed away from that movement. "What we witnessed at the inauguration was the stealthy infiltration of hardline Hindutva politics. Behind this lies a narrow-minded political agenda aimed at destroying secularism. People must recognise this and raise their voices in protest," the Chief Minister said.

BJP accused of partisan politics

The CPI(M) also launched a scathing attack on the Union government, accusing it of turning the Indian Railways into a tool for partisan and communal politics. CPI(M)'s Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas said the RSS hymn performance at the launch reflected the Centre’s growing tendency to politicise even national institutions.

"The Centre seems determined to turn every Vande Bharat service inauguration into a political event," Brittas said. "Earlier, there was a temporary service on the Ernakulam-Bengaluru route, which was discontinued without consultation. Several Kerala MPs, including myself, had urged for its restoration. The Southern Railway General Manager had said that a proposal for a Vande Bharat Sleeper on this route was sent to the Railway Board. But instead of any formal communication, the Railway Minister held an online meeting with BJP leaders and announced the new service. This is unprecedented in the history of Indian Railways," he further said.

He further said the inclusion of RSS songs and political messaging during the event only prove how the BJP and the Centre are systematically eroding institutional neutrality.

"For the BJP, the idea of neutrality never existed. What they are now experimenting with is how far they can stretch that bias," Brittas added.

Connecting three southern states

The eight-coach train passes through major cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, including Thrissur, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, and Salem, before reaching Krishnarajapuram and KSR Bengaluru. It is the third Vande Bharat service to originate from Kerala.

"KSR Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express will provide seamless connectivity between Ernakulam, the commercial capital of Kerala and the cosmopolitan city of Bengaluru," a press note from Southern Railway said.

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"The existing two Vande Bharat services, between Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram (via Kottayam), and Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru Central (via Alappuzha) intertwine the southern and northern ends of Kerala and beyond," it said.

Six-day weekly operation

An intercity train service that runs between Ernakulam and Bengaluru takes over 11 hours to cover the 583-km distance. However, the new Vande Bharat train will complete this journey in 8 hours and 40 minutes, officials said.

The train's regular service will start from November 9, when it will depart from Bengaluru at 5.10 am to arrive at Ernakulam at 1.50 pm. On its return journey, the train will depart from Ernakulam at 2.20 pm and arrive at Bengaluru at 11 pm. It will operate six days a week except Wednesday.

Highlighting its benefits, Southern Railway said that it would provide the fastest connectivity between Ernakulam and Bengaluru, which is a high-traffic-demand corridor.

First Vande Bharat to Palakkad

"It is the first Vande Bharat service to Palakkad, the Gateway of Kerala. Since it links three states - Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala - it is going to boost business, education, tourism, pilgrimage, and healthcare travel," officials said.

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"The Vande Bharat trains offer comfortable, safe, and premium onboard experience with modern amenities like GPS-based infotainment, bio-vacuum toilets, ergonomic seating, automatic doors, reading lights, and Wi-Fi," they added.

According to the press note, with over 130 such services criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country, the Vande Bharat trains are bridging economic, social, and cultural barriers.