The Member of Parliament from the Mandi constituency and actress Kangana Ranaut has voiced support for the initiative to open schools managed by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the state of Himachal Pradesh. She backed Shubhendu Adhikari's recent proposal to establish a thousand Vidya Bharati institutions in West Bengal and suggested implementing a similar program in Himachal Pradesh.
Speaking to a news agency after chairing a meeting of the Mandi district Coordination and Monitoring Committee, Kangana Ranaut stated: 'When our party comes to power in our state, I would like similar programs to be launched in Himachal Pradesh. This is a good step, and it should be replicated in Himachal.'
Kangana Ranaut described the RSS as a source of national pride, noting that the organization has built numerous educational institutions and has always served the country during crises. She emphasized that schools and educational initiatives overseen by the RSS, such as the Eklavya school model and institutions preparing for the NEET exam, provide better opportunities for children from rural and remote areas. Kangana added that such programs should be introduced in Himachal Pradesh after the Bharatiya Janata Party forms the government in the state.
Responding to TMC's accusations of 'Indianization of education' following the announcement in West Bengal, Kangana Ranaut countered by accusing the TMC of attempting to incite anti-state sentiment and create division in the country for political gain. She asserted that one cannot expect steps in the nation's interest from parties that hate the country or are involved in conspiracies.
According to officials, the educational wing of the RSS, Vidya Bharati, is preparing for a significant expansion of its school network in West Bengal and plans to have a presence in all 345 blocks of the state in the coming years.
Earlier, Saurabh Bhardwaj, the AAP chief from Delhi, criticized Shubhendu Adhikari's statement, questioning how the government could open RSS-affiliated schools since the RSS is an 'unregistered organization.' He insisted that the government's focus should be on opening public schools, suggesting that Adhikari was trying to create a new scandal and attract attention.