Patna, July 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) A fresh political controversy has erupted in Bihar over the colour scheme of the state’s newly inaugurated 551 ‘Saraswati Vidya Niketan’ model schools, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, AIMIM and other opposition parties accusing the NDA government of saffronisation of education.
The ruling alliance has rejected the allegations, asserting that the focus should remain on improving the quality of education rather than politicising the issue.
The controversy intensified after Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary inaugurated the 551 model schools on Sunday.
Responding to the opposition’s criticism while arriving for the Monsoon Session of the Bihar Legislature, Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari dismissed the allegations and defended the choice of colour.
He said saffron is a symbol of prosperity and is also one of the colours of India’s national flag. According to him, no colour should be viewed through a political lens.
“The flowers, leaves and greenery of trees and plants are green. Are we going to start judging everything based on colour now?” the minister remarked.
Tiwari further said the government’s objective is to strengthen Bihar’s education system and that unnecessary controversies over colours divert attention from real issues.
He also referred to the installation of statues of Goddess Saraswati in schools, saying that students traditionally seek the goddess of knowledge's blessings before beginning their education.
“Unless children worship Goddess Saraswati before starting their studies, how will they acquire knowledge? Saffron is associated with Goddess Saraswati and symbolises prosperity. Our priority is to provide quality education, not engage in needless debates,” he said.
Rejecting the opposition’s criticism, Tiwari also took a swipe at the RJD, saying, “We are not going to convert these model schools into Charwaha Vidyalayas simply because the opposition demands it.”
The Education Minister further accused the opposition of practising selective politics, alleging that the same political forces that had earlier objected to religious texts were now opposing the colour saffron.
He maintained that the government had created a modern, technology-driven education system for children from every caste and community.
According to him, the new model schools will provide advanced learning facilities, including digital education platforms where students can receive academic support and have their doubts addressed.
Tiwari also questioned the absence of the Leader of the Opposition from the Assembly during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
The opposition, however, has strongly criticised the government’s decision, accusing it of using public institutions to promote a political ideology.
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra described the colour scheme as a wrong policy and argued that educational institutions should remain politically neutral.
He said schools are not meant to be saffron-coloured and that if the Tricolour had been used, it would have been understandable, as it represents the nation. Painting schools entirely saffron, he argued, sends the wrong message.
He said the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) would raise the issue across Bihar and questioned why public funds were being used in a manner that, according to him, reflected the ruling party’s political identity.
AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman also criticised the government, alleging that it was attempting to divert public attention from pressing issues such as unemployment by promoting religious politics.
He argued that government institutions should remain secular because they are funded by taxpayers and serve people from all communities. According to him, governments are elected by popular vote but function with public funds and therefore should not promote any particular religious identity.
He alleged that the NDA government was attempting to saffronise educational institutions rather than focus on improving education and creating employment opportunities.
Source: IANS
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