Bengal To Get 1,000 RSS-Run Schools Soon

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari disclosed that the state plans to establish at least 1,000 schools under Vidya Bharati. Vidya Bharati is the offshoot of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. These schools would be set up within the year. The disclosure was made while addressing the event in Kolkata. The address was given during the celebration of the birthday of Vidya Bharati. The event was held at the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture. Adhikari said these schools would be established in all districts, municipalities and panchayats of West Bengal. He termed this the initiative to introduce “learning” in Bengal's education system. This comes weeks after he assumed office as Chief Minister following the BJP's victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

CM's Push For 1,000 New Schools

Adhikari held the Trinamool Congress government responsible for making the schools in the state dirty and corrupt. Adhikari instructed Vidya Bharati to do away with the malpractices. He appealed to the organization to start schools in Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas. According to Adhikari, these regions were involved in activities that were not in the interest of the nation. He quoted the slogan of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, who was the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh. His slogan was 'One Nation, One Constitution, One Flag, One Leader'. Adhikari stated that the concept should also apply to the education sector. High-profile Vidya Bharati leaders have been invited to meet at the state secretariat.

Vande Mataram And Education Reform

As per Adhikari, aid from the government will be discontinued to those institutions that do not render the version of Vande Mataram. It was noted that some of the institutions partially complied with the order by rising and singing the national song without reciting it. He made it clear that students must use their mouths while rendering the song. He also proposed combining the four education departments of the states into a single education department. There would not be any arrangement for madrasa education. In addition, he stated that Aliah University, which is now functioning under the Department of Minority Affairs, shall be treated like any other university. There are 313 Vidya Bharati institutions in Bengal.