West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Sets Target of 1,000 RSS-Run Schools Within a Year

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has set a target of establishing at least 1,000 schools run by Vidya Bharati, the education wing associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), across the state within a year.

Speaking at an event in Kolkata marking Vidya Bharati’s 74th anniversary, Adhikari said the schools should be established across districts, municipalities and panchayats. He urged the organisation to expand its presence in areas including Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas, while describing the initiative as a means of promoting what he called “nationalistic learning.” 

The chief minister also proposed bringing the state’s four education departments under a single administrative structure. Under his proposal, there would be no separate administrative arrangement for madrasa education. He also questioned the separate administrative status of Aliah University, which is currently under the Minority Affairs Department. 

Adhikari criticised the previous Trinamool Congress government over its handling of education and alleged that changes to the curriculum had contributed to divisions in society. He said the state should focus on strengthening Indian culture, traditions and national values in education. 

The announcement is likely to generate debate over the role of RSS-affiliated educational institutions, the proposed restructuring of Bengal’s education administration and the future of separate educational arrangements for minority institutions.