Hindu Nationalist Groups Now Control 62% of New Sainik Schools: The Reporters’ Collective

Sainik Schools Serve as Military Preparatory Institutions

Newsreel Asia Insight #181
April 4, 2024

The Indian government has transferred control of 62% of new Sainik Schools to groups associated with Hindu nationalist organisations, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to The Reporters’ Collective. The move comes after the 2021 initiative allowing private entities to operate Sainik Schools under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, aiming to expand the network of these military preparatory institutions.

Since the announcement, 40 schools have entered into agreements with the Sainik Schools Society (SSS), under the Ministry of Defence, to establish new Sainik Schools, reveals the investigative report by The Reporters’ Collective. These agreements were facilitated by the PPP model, which was introduced to bolster the armed forces’ recruitment pool. However, the selection process has sparked concerns due to the significant proportion of contracts awarded to organisations and individuals with close ties to the BJP, its political allies and other Hindu nationalist groups.

The PPP model’s implementation has led to the first instance of private sector involvement in the Sainik School system. On Oct. 12, 2021, a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved this new approach, distinguishing these schools from the traditional Sainik Schools operated by the Ministry of Defence, says the report. The government, through the SSS, offers financial support to these schools, including an annual fee subsidy and a training grant based on academic performance.

Despite the financial incentives, there is a wide disparity in the fee structure of these new Sainik Schools, with annual fees ranging significantly, according to the report. The policy has enabled schools with the requisite infrastructure, as defined by the SSS, to gain approval, leading to a predominance of schools affiliated with the Sangh Parivar and similar organisations in the new Sainik School landscape.

Historically, Sainik Schools have played a crucial role in preparing students for careers in the Indian armed forces, with a significant percentage of their graduates joining military institutions. The involvement of private players, particularly those linked to political and ideological organisations, in running these schools has raised concerns about the potential impact on the secular and professional ethos of the military education system.

The investigation by The Reporters’ Collective revealed that a substantial number of the new Sainik Schools are either directly owned or managed by BJP politicians, RSS affiliates and other Hindu nationalist entities. Notably, none of the schools is run by organisations representing religious minorities in India.

In various states, schools with direct connections to BJP leaders have been approved as part of the new Sainik School network. For example, in Arunachal Pradesh, the Tawang Public School, owned by the state’s Chief Minister Pema Khandu, has been sanctioned as a Sainik School. Similarly, in Gujarat, schools affiliated with BJP leaders and organisations have been granted approval.

The selection process for these schools has been questioned, with allegations of favouritism towards BJP-affiliated entities. Critics argue that this trend could lead to an ideological bend in the Sainik School system, with education potentially being influenced by Hindu nationalist ideology.

The involvement of organisations like Vidya Bharati, the educational wing of the RSS, in running Sainik Schools has particularly drawn criticism, the report notes. Vidya Bharati, known for its Hindutva-centric educational approach, has been accused of promoting a majoritarian and communal outlook, which critics fear could affect the secular and professional nature of military education, the report notes.

The PPP model’s implementation in the Sainik School system represents a significant shift in the management and orientation of these institutions. While the government’s alleged intention is to expand the talent pool for the armed forces, the dominance of Hindu nationalist groups in the new Sainik Schools raises questions about the future direction of military education in India.