'RSS involvement in Sainik Schools rising', says Rahul; Parl panel chief seeks proof

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday reportedly alleged at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence that the involvement of the RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, is “increasing unnecessarily” in Sainik Schools across the country.According to ANI, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, who is a member of the committee, referred to a media report while making the claim.The remarks prompted committee chair Radha Mohan Singh, a BJP MP, to ask Rahul Gandhi to provide documents supporting his claim. He also told the Wayanad MP that the documents would be forwarded to the concerned ministry for clarification.Another BJP member of the panel, Sudhanshu Trivedi, also questioned Rahul Gandhi on the basis of his allegation.The former Congress chief has repeatedly alleged that people linked to the RSS are "capturing" public institutions. He left the meeting early to attend a book launch event.According to sources, 70 Sainik Schools have been allotted to organisations like Vidya Bharati and Saraswati Sishu Mandir to run them in a partnership model.The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence held a meeting to consider and adopt Action Taken Reports on DFG (2026-27) and Action Taken Report on subject 'Review of Sainik Schools, Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and Rashtriya Military Schools'.It also heard Oral evidence of the representatives of the Ministry of Defence/DPSUs on the subject "Modernisation and Self-reliance of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (Old DPSUs) - MSMEs as stakeholders."The central government in December 2022 approved an initiative to set up 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode with NGOs/private schools/state government schools in all states and Union territories.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.