The Defense Department denied the allegation in a press conference days ago. (document)

New Delhi:

Congress president Mallikarjun Haq has written to President Drupadi Murmu demanding revocation of the Centre’s move to “privatize” Sainik schools, calling it a “blatant attempt to politicize it” “. He wrote that a “survey report based on RTI responses” revealed that 62 per cent of privatized Sainik schools belong to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a leader of the BJP and the party’s ideological guru. The Defense Department denied the accusation and said in news reports issued days ago that the system involves a rigorous selection process.

“The political or ideological background or other aspects of the applicant institution will not affect the selection process. Attempts to politicize or misrepresent the objectives and implementation of the program through defamation are baseless and misleading,” the ministry said.

“Indian democracy has traditionally kept our armed forces away from any partisan politics. Successive Indian governments in the past have kept the armed forces and their affiliates away from the shadow of different political ideologies,” Mr. Haq said in the two-page letter.

“It is no surprise that the coalition government has broken with this accepted practice… They have dealt a heavy blow to the very nature and ethos of the Armed Forces. The dissemination of ideologically slanted knowledge in these institutions will not only undermine inclusivity but also undermine the military.” interests.” influence the national identity of Sainik schools through partisan religious/corporate/family/social/cultural creeds,” Mr. Hager wrote.

Mr. Hager wrote that 40 memorandums of understanding were signed under the new system of public-private partnership agreements launched in 2021.

“Of the 40 MoUs signed, 62 per cent were with individuals and organizations belonging to the RSS-BJP-Sangh Parivar. These include the chief minister’s family, several MLAs, BJP officials and RSS leaders. “The letter was read.

“Therefore, in the national interest, the Indian National Congress demands a complete reversal of this privatization policy and the abrogation of these MoUs,” he added.

In its note, the ministry said the government has launched a plan to establish 100 schools across the country “in collaboration with NGOs/state governments/private sector in the education sector”.

There was a rigorous selection process and after more than 500 applications were scanned, only 45 schools were approved. The government said the approval of the schools was provisional and would be monitored regularly.