West Bengal to open 1,000 RSS-run Vidya Bharati schools

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a plan to establish at least 1,000 schools affiliated with Vidya Bharati, the education wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), within the next year. The expansion aims to place institutions in every district, municipality, and panchayat across the state. Currently, the state has 313 such schools, meaning the plan would more than triple the existing network.

Adhikari stated that the initiative is intended to promote “nationalistic learning” and restore Indian cultural traditions and values in education. He also proposed merging various education departments, including the minority affairs department, into a single unified body to streamline administration.

Additionally, the Chief Minister issued a warning that government aid would be withdrawn from schools—including government, aided, private, and madrasas—that refuse to sing the full version of Vande Mataram during prayers. He specifically urged the expansion of these schools in the Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas districts.