Kharge writes to President Murmu, “Roll back policy on “privatization” of Sainik Schools.”

Regarding the decision to run Sainik Schools in conjunction with NGOs and private schools, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday. He claimed it was a clear attempt to politicize the independent schools and that it needed to be reversed.

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Kharge referenced a recent media story in a letter to President Murmu, stating that 62% of the 40 memorandums of understanding concluded in this context were signed with members of the RSS-BJP-Sangh Parivar, including leaders of the RSS, MLAs, the family of a chief minister, and BJP office bearers. The head of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge, emphasized that this went against the long-standing tradition of keeping the armed forces and its affiliated institutions free from partisan politics and the influence of different political philosophies.

You would be aware of the generally acknowledged truth that this purposeful, obvious division was grounded in worldwide experiences and adhered to the greatest democratic standards. This preserved our democracy strong even when military intervention, democratic subversion, and martial law overthrew regimes all across the world,” he continued.

“This is an obvious attempt to politicize the independent Sainik Schools, which serve as a major hub for cadets preparing to attend the Indian Naval Academy and the National Defense Academy (NDA). Since Pandit Nehru, India’s first prime minister, founded the Sainik Schools in 1961, they have served as a symbol of military leadership and distinction.

To preserve the intended character, vision, and honour needed for the nation’s service, Kharge called for “a complete rollback of this privatization policy and annulment of these MoUs.”

The Defence Ministry refuted the rumour that Sainik Schools were being assigned to organizations according to their political or ideological affinities in a statement released on April 3.