Opposition slams BJP for communalizing Sainik Schools
New Delhi: Opposition parties in India have criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for handing over the management of Sainik Schools to organizations linked to the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
According to Kashmir Media Service, an investigative report by the Reporters’ Collective revealed that 62% of the 40 Sainik Schools that have been allocated to private entities are linked to the RSS, BJP politicians, and Hindutva organizations.
The report by the Reporters’ Collective, based on information from government press releases and RTI replies, highlights a troubling pattern. Among these schools, two belong to Sadhvi Ritambhara, founder of Durga Vahini, a women’s wing of the VHP, who played a significant role in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.
In 2021, the Modi government permitted private entities to operate Sainik Schools, aiming to establish 100 new schools across India. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticized the move, calling it a compromise with national security, particularly in light of the Agniveer scheme.
The CPI-M politburo issued a statement condemning the move, citing concerns about the communalization of education and its impact on the secular nature of military institutions. They demanded the withdrawal of the decision to ensure the national and secular character of Sainik Schools is preserved.
The CPI-M emphasized that traditionally, Sainik Schools have been managed by the autonomous Sainik School Society under the Ministry of Defence. These schools play a crucial role in preparing students for enrollment in prestigious defense academies, with many alumni rising to prominent positions in India’s armed forces.
