New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday opposed the Centre's move to privatise Sainik schools and wrote to President Droupadi Murmu against the matter. He also demanded a complete rollback of the policy and the annulment of MoUs signed in this regard. "There are 33 Sainik schools in the country and they were fully government-funded institutions operated under the aegis of Sainik Schools Society (SSS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Defence (MoD)", PTI quoted Kharge as saying.
In his two-page letter addressed to the President, Congress leader Kharge expressed deep concern over the central government's deviation from the longstanding tradition of keeping the armed forces free from partisan politics within Indian democracy. Kharge also mentioned about the undermining of institutions by the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) in its efforts to push its ideology.
Kharge emphasised the need to preserve the integrity and ethos of Armed Forces Schools by demanding the complete rollback of privatization policies and the annulment of related memorandums of understanding (MoUs). He brought to the attention of President Murmu an investigative report based on a Right to Information (RTI) reply, revealing the alleged privatisation of Sainik Schools through a new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model introduced by the government. According to the report, 62 percent of these schools are purportedly owned by leaders affiliated with the BJP-RSS.
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"This indeed kept our democracy thriving robustly, even as regimes across the globe fell to military interference, subversion of democracy and martial law", the Congress chief asserted. He said that the central government in 2021 brazenly initiated the privatisation of Sainik schools, as per PTI.
Kharge's Attack On Privatisation Of Sainik Schools
Kharge alleged that as a result of this policy shift, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed for 40 out of the proposed 100 new Sainik Schools. Under this model, the Union Government provided an annual fee support of 50 percent of the fee (up to a maximum of Rs. 40,000 per annum) for 50 percent of the class strength (up to a maximum of 50 students) per year from Class 6 onwards till Class 12, based on merit-cum-means basis. This translates to a maximum support of Rs. 1.2 crore per annum for schools with classes up to 12th standard, along with other incentives.
Kharge claimed that the investigative report also revealed that 62 percent of the signed MoUs have been with individuals and organisations affiliated with the RSS-BJP-Sangh Parivar, including families of chief ministers, several MLAs, BJP office-bearers, and RSS leaders. He criticised this move, labeling it as an attempt to politicise independent Sainik Schools, which serve as a crucial preparatory platform for sending cadets to prestigious institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy.
Sainik Schools, established by India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru in 1961, have long stood as pillars of military leadership and excellence. However, recent developments have raised concerns regarding the potential ideological indoctrination of armed forces at the entry level. Congress leader Kharge, also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, questioned the motives behind the allocation of new Sainik Schools, suggesting a possible attempt to politicise these institutions.
The defence ministry last week trashed reports that the new Sainik Schools were allocated to institutions based on their political or ideological affiliations. Articles have appeared in certain sections of the press insinuating that new Sainik Schools are being allocated to institutions based on their political or ideological affiliations. Such insinuations are unfounded, the defence ministry said in a statement on April 3.
It said, "rigorous selection process was followed to finalise institutions to run the new Sainik Schools. The scheme for new Sainik Schools is well thought out".
"The selection process itself is rigorous, checks and balances have been built in to ensure continuing adherence to the objectives and strong incentives are in place to provide financial support to deserving students. The political or ideological affiliation or otherwise of the applicant institution does not influence the selection process", the ministry stated.