'Grand plan of RSS': Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge writes to President Murmu against privatisation of Sainik schools

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday penned a letter to President Droupadi Murmu expressing concerns over the Centre's decision to privatise Sainik schools in the country.
Requesting a complete reversal of the policy and cancellation of related MoUs, Kharge highlighted the traditional separation of armed forces from partisan politics in Indian democracy, which he believes has been compromised by the government.
He emphasised that the ideological influence in these institutions could harm their inclusive nature and national identity. Kharge urged for the withdrawal of the privatisation plan and scrapping of the agreements to preserve the ethos and character of Sainik Schools.

Citing an investigative report based on an RTI response, he raised alarms about the alleged ownership of a significant number of these schools by leaders affiliated with the BJP-RSS.
"Having undermined institutions after institutions, in the grand plan of RSS to hurriedly thrust its ideology, they have dealt a body blow to the very nature and ethos of the Armed Forces. Imparting ideologically slanted knowledge in such institutions shall not only destroy inclusiveness but also damage the national character of the Sainik Schools, by influencing their character through partisan religious/corporate/family/social/cultural credos.

"Therefore, in national interest, the Indian National Congress demands the complete rollback of this privatisation policy and annulment of these MoUs, so that children studying at Armed Forces Schools retain desired character, vision and honour required for the service of the nation," Kharge wrote.
Noting that there are 33 Sainik Schools in India, he pointed out that they were previously government-funded and operated under the Sainik Schools Society, a body under the ministry of defence.