Mandi: Lok Sabha MP and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has stated that schools run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will be set up in Himachal Pradesh if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returns to power in the state.
Speaking to PTI on Saturday after chairing a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) in Mandi district, the BJP parliamentarian voiced strong support for a similar plan recently proposed in West Bengal by Suvendu Adhikari. Adhikari had announced a proposal to open 1,000 new schools under Vidya Bharati, the educational wing of the RSS, across all 345 blocks of West Bengal.
“I want similar schemes to be introduced in Himachal Pradesh when our government comes to power in the state. It is a good initiative and should be implemented in Himachal as well,” Ranaut said.
Describing the RSS as a source of national pride, the BJP leader praised its ongoing contribution to education and social service. She highlighted that the organization has established numerous schools and consistently served the nation during times of crisis. Ranaut noted that RSS-backed educational initiatives—including Eklavya Model Schools and coaching centers for NEET examinations—provide crucial opportunities for children living in rural and remote regions.
The proposal to expand Vidya Bharati schools in West Bengal has drawn sharp backlash from political opponents. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused the initiative of attempting to “saffronise education” in the state.
Hitting back at the opposition, Ranaut accused the TMC of promoting anti-national sentiments and attempting to divide the country for political gain. She remarked that political parties that harbor hatred toward the nation and engage in conspiracies cannot be expected to act in the national interest.
The initiative has also drawn criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Delhi AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned how a government could open schools affiliated with the RSS, terming it an “unregistered body.” Bharadwaj argued that the government ought to prioritize establishing government-run schools instead of opening institutions for the RSS.
Ranaut’s remarks are expected to spark political debate in Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress party is currently in power as the BJP prepares its strategy for the upcoming assembly elections.
