Bihar school saffron row erupts on Monsoon Session Day 1, RJD and AIMIM hit out
Synopsis
On the very first day of Bihar's Monsoon Session, the Opposition turned a paint colour into a political flashpoint — accusing the NDA government of saffronising state-run schools. With the government yet to respond and the Bankipur bye-election looming, the row signals a combative session ahead.
Key Takeaways
Opposition parties accused the Bihar NDA government of painting special government schools saffron , sparking a row on 20 July , the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra called the move a 'flawed government policy' and warned Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari that the Opposition holds a dossier on his activities.
AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman argued that taxpayer-funded public institutions must remain religiously neutral in a secular democracy.
Opposition legislators staged protests outside the Bihar Assembly , demanding a formal government explanation on the colour scheme.
The Bihar state government had not issued a detailed response to the allegations by the close of proceedings on 20 July .
Mahagathbandhan indicated it will press the issue across Bihar and seek a legislative discussion throughout the Monsoon Session.
A sharp political dispute broke out on the opening day of the Bihar Legislature's Monsoon Session on 20 July after Opposition parties accused the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of painting special state-run schools in saffron, alleging an attempt to inject religious symbolism into public education. The state government had yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations as of the day's proceedings.
What the Opposition Alleged
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Bhai Virendra, attending the Assembly session, launched a pointed attack on Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari, calling the decision a 'flawed government policy.' He argued that painting schools exclusively in saffron was unacceptable, while using the colours of the Indian Tricolour could have been justified. Virendra announced that the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) would raise the matter across Bihar and push for a formal legislative discussion on the colour scheme.
Virendra also issued a political warning to the Education Minister, claiming the Opposition held a dossier on his activities and cautioning him against acting 'rashly or provocatively.' On the absence of Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav from the House, Virendra said, 'Where Bhai Virendra is, Tejashwi Yadav is,' asserting that every RJD worker embodied the party leader's presence.
AIMIM Raises Secular Governance Concerns
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA Akhtarul Iman echoed the criticism, alleging that the NDA government was 'saffronising' educational institutions instead of addressing pressing public concerns such as employment and youth welfare. He argued that public institutions, funded through taxpayers' money, must remain neutral in a secular democracy. 'No government should use public resources to promote religious symbolism,' Iman said, questioning whether government schools belonged to any political party.
Protests Outside the Assembly
Opposition legislators staged demonstrations outside the Assembly building, demanding a formal explanation from the government regarding the colour scheme adopted for the schools. The protests added to the charged atmosphere on the session's opening day, with Opposition parties indicating they intend to press the issue both inside and outside the Legislature throughout the Monsoon Session.
Government's Position and What Comes Next
The Bihar state government had not issued a detailed rebuttal or clarification on the school painting decision by the close of proceedings on 20 July. The controversy is expected to dominate early debates in the Monsoon Session. Virendra also expressed confidence that the RJD would win the upcoming Bankipur Assembly bye-election, signalling that the party intends to use the school row as a political rallying point ahead of the contest. How the NDA responds — and whether it offers a policy rationale for the colour choice — will likely determine how long the issue remains a flashpoint.
Point of View
The silence only deepens the optics problem. The deeper issue is whether public school infrastructure in Bihar — chronically underfunded — is being discussed for its colour rather than its condition. That inversion says something about the state of political discourse in the state.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bihar school saffron paint controversy?
The controversy centres on the Bihar NDA government's decision to paint special state-run schools in saffron. Opposition parties, including the RJD and AIMIM, allege this amounts to injecting religious symbolism into public education using taxpayer money.
When did the controversy come to a head?
The dispute erupted on 20 July, the opening day of the Bihar Legislature's Monsoon Session, when Opposition MLAs raised the issue inside the Assembly and staged protests outside it.
What did RJD MLA Bhai Virendra say?
Bhai Virendra called the school painting a 'flawed government policy,' argued that the Indian Tricolour's colours would have been acceptable but saffron alone was not, and warned Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari that the Opposition held a dossier on his activities.
What was AIMIM's argument against the colour scheme?
AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman argued that public institutions funded by taxpayers must remain neutral in a secular democracy, and that no government should use public resources to promote religious symbolism. He also accused the NDA of prioritising religion-based politics over employment and development.
Has the Bihar government responded to the allegations?
As of the close of proceedings on 20 July, the Bihar state government had not issued a detailed response or policy rationale for the saffron colour scheme adopted for the schools.
