The Bihar government’s plan to repaint all 551 Model Schools saffron has drawn questions from the opposition and from the JD(U), the main partner in the BJP-led ruling alliance. The schools, now called Saraswati Vidya Niketan for classes 9 to 12, were inaugurated by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday in Begusarai. He stated on social media that the launch marked a new phase in education from the land of poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. Officials said the schools feature updated digital facilities, e-libraries and smart classrooms, and will offer free JEE and NEET coaching with live classes. An education department order requires the buildings to switch immediately from their previous pink, sky blue or yellow shades to saffron. JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said education should follow constitutional values rather than any particular colour and that donor names should appear above the new school signage. A school headmaster, speaking anonymously, confirmed that exterior walls must now be saffron, interior walls white and gates golden, replacing earlier local choices. Opposition parties described the change as the start of saffronisation of education. RJD spokesperson Subodh Kumar Mehta called it an RSS-style approach, while Congress spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari said it fixed a political colour on schooling. BJP vice president Santosh Pathak defended the colour as symbolising energy and positivity, and Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari said critics were viewing reforms through an RSS lens.
