In Vrindavan, a city revered for its spiritual significance, Sadhvi Ritambhara, a prominent Hindu nationalist figure and founder of Durga Vahini, the women’s wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), operates the Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School. Ritambhara, known for her role in the Ram temple movement, recently joined the list of private entities signing Memorandums of Agreement (MoAs) with the Sainik Schools Society (SSS) to run Sainik Schools under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Union government’s decision in 2021 to allow private players to manage Sainik Schools marked a significant shift in the education landscape. Under this new policy, schools meeting specified infrastructure criteria could apply for affiliation. However, concerns have arisen regarding the affiliations granted, with data from Reporters’ Collective indicating that at least 62% of the agreements have been awarded to schools associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hindutva organizations, and other Hindu religious bodies.
While the government’s intent behind the PPP model is to enhance the recruitment pool for the armed forces, the involvement of political and right-wing entities in the military education ecosystem has sparked apprehensions. This move represents the first instance of private entities being affiliated with the SSS and receiving financial support from the government.
According to the policy document, affiliated schools are eligible for an Annual Fee Support of 50% of the fee, subject to a maximum limit per annum, along with other incentives like training grants based on academic performance. This financial support aims to benefit students and encourage their participation in military-oriented education.
The existing Sainik Schools, with their focus on preparing cadets for institutions like the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy, have played a crucial role in shaping military personnel. However, the entry of politically affiliated entities into this domain has raised questions about the ideological influence on education imparted in these schools.
A retired Major General, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concerns about potential biases in education if ownership is predominantly held by BJP-related individuals/organizations. The curriculum and values taught in these schools could impact the outlook of future armed forces personnel, especially considering their eventual participation in NDA and other armed forces entrance exams.
An analysis of the MoAs signed between May 2022 and December 2023 reveals a pattern where a significant number of affiliated schools have direct or indirect ties to political and right-wing entities. This includes schools owned or managed by BJP politicians, trusts chaired by them, RSS and its allied organizations, Hindutva groups, and other Hindu religious bodies.
Examples of such affiliations span across various states, from Arunachal Pradesh to Maharashtra. Tawang Public School in Arunachal Pradesh, owned by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and several schools in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, affiliated with BJP leaders or their trusts, highlight the extent of political involvement in these institutions.
The involvement of institutions like Vidya Bharati, the educational arm of RSS, in managing Sainik Schools has drawn particular attention. Vidya Bharati’s mission, as stated on its website, emphasizes building a generation committed to Hindutva and patriotism. This ideological alignment has raised concerns about the potential indoctrination and bias in education.
Critics argue that affiliating schools with strong political or ideological leanings to national defense institutions risks politicizing the armed forces and compromising their apolitical and professional ethos. Aditya Mukherjee, coauthor of a book on the RSS, expressed shock at the sponsorship and support extended to such schools by the Defence Ministry, warning of the dangers of promoting majoritarian and communal ideologies within the military education system.
The concerns voiced by experts and observers highlight the need for transparency and scrutiny in the process of affiliating private entities with Sainik Schools. The role of education in shaping future military leaders cannot be underestimated, making it imperative to ensure that institutions entrusted with this responsibility uphold values of inclusivity, diversity, and professionalism.
The move towards private participation in Sainik Schools, while offering potential benefits in terms of infrastructure development and resource allocation, must be accompanied by safeguards to prevent ideological biases that could compromise the integrity and effectiveness of military education in India.