PATNA — A political controversy erupted on the opening day of the Bihar Legislature’s Monsoon Session after Opposition parties accused the NDA government of saffronising special government schools by painting them orange.
Leaders of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and AIMIM strongly criticised the move, alleging that the government was attempting to inject religious symbolism into the education system.
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra, who arrived to attend the Assembly proceedings, launched a sharp attack on Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari, calling the decision a flawed government policy.
He argued that schools should not be painted in saffron, saying that if they had been painted in the colours of the Indian Tricolour, it could have been justified, but using only saffron was unacceptable.
He said the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) would raise the issue across Bihar and seek a detailed discussion on the government’s decision.
Bhai Virendra also issued a political warning to the Education Minister, claiming that the Opposition possessed a dossier on his activities and cautioning him against acting rashly or provocatively.
Responding to questions from reporters, the RJD legislator also expressed confidence that his party would emerge victorious in the upcoming Bankipur Assembly bye-election.
On Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav’s, absence from the House, he remarked that every RJD worker represented Tejashwi Yadav’s leadership, adding, “Where Bhai Virendra is, Tejashwi Yadav is.”
Outside the Assembly, Opposition legislators staged protests over the issue and demanded an explanation from the government regarding the colour scheme adopted for government schools.
AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman also criticised the government, alleging that it was attempting to saffronise educational institutions instead of focussing on pressing public issues such as employment and development.
He accused the NDA government of pursuing politics centred on religion while neglecting governance and youth welfare.
Iman argued that public institutions are funded through taxpayers’ money and should remain neutral in a secular democracy.
He questioned whether government schools belonged to any political party and asserted that no government should use public resources to promote religious symbolism.
The controversy has added to the intensity of the Monsoon Session, with the Opposition indicating that it will continue to press the government on the issue both inside and outside the Legislature.
The state government has yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations regarding the colour scheme of the schools.
