A sharp political dispute has broken out in Bihar over the colour scheme of 551 newly inaugurated 'Saraswati Vidya Niketan' model schools, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Indian National Congress, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), and other opposition parties accusing the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of saffronising public education. The controversy erupted following the schools' inauguration on Sunday, 20 July, and spilled into the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Bihar Legislature.

What the Education Minister Said

Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari dismissed the opposition's allegations as politically motivated, arguing that saffron is a symbol of prosperity and features as one of the colours of India's national flag. Speaking on the sidelines of the Legislature session, Tiwari said no colour should be viewed through a political lens.

'The flowers, leaves and greenery of trees and plants are green. Are we going to start judging everything based on colour now?' Tiwari remarked. He maintained that the government's priority is to strengthen Bihar's education system, and that debates over colour divert attention from substantive issues.

Tiwari also addressed the installation of Goddess Saraswati statues in the schools, stating that students traditionally seek the goddess of knowledge's blessings before beginning their studies. 'Unless children worship Goddess Saraswati before starting their studies, how will they acquire knowledge? Saffron is associated with Goddess Saraswati and symbolises prosperity. Our priority is to provide quality education, not engage in needless debates,' he said.

In a pointed dig at the RJD, Tiwari added: 'We are not going to convert these model schools into Charwaha Vidyalayas simply because the opposition demands it.' He also accused opposition parties of practising selective politics, alleging they had previously objected to religious texts and were now targeting the colour saffron.

What the Schools Offer

According to Tiwari, the 551 model schools — inaugurated by Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary — will provide advanced learning facilities, including digital education platforms where students can receive academic support and have their doubts addressed in real time. The minister stressed that the institutions are designed to serve children from every caste and community.

Opposition's Objections

RJD MLA Bhai Virendra described the saffron colour scheme as a wrong policy, arguing that educational institutions should remain politically neutral. He contended that had the schools been painted in the colours of the national Tricolour, it would have been understandable. Painting government schools entirely in saffron, he said, sends the wrong message. He added that the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) would raise the issue across Bihar and questioned why public funds were being deployed in a manner that, in his view, reflects the ruling party's political identity.

AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman alleged that the NDA government was attempting to divert public attention from pressing concerns such as unemployment by promoting religious politics. He argued that government institutions, funded by taxpayers and serving all communities, must remain secular and should not promote any particular religious identity.

Broader Context

The row over school colours is the latest flashpoint in a long-running national debate over the role of religion and ideology in public education. Critics have previously raised similar concerns in other BJP-governed states, making Bihar's case part of a wider pattern that opposition parties are keen to highlight ahead of future electoral contests. The NDA alliance, however, insists the focus should remain on educational outcomes rather than optics.

The Monsoon Session of the Bihar Legislature is expected to see further debate on the matter, with the Grand Alliance signalling it will press the issue in the coming days.