Karnataka government's choice of saffron paint for schools stirs up row
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Bengaluru: The BJP government in Karnataka faces criticism after it decided to paint schools, built under a government scheme, with saffron.
The Opposition came down heavily on the government against what it said "saffronisation of education"
The BJP reasoned that saffron was chosen because schools were launched in honour of Swami Vivekananda who wore a saffron robe, according to NDTV.
The new government classrooms scheme "Viveka' was launched on Children's Day today in Kalaburgi district, some 600 km from the capital Bengaluru.
The scheme envisions building around 8,000 classrooms in government schools across the state.
The opposition came out against the decision to paint the classrooms with saffron.
Congress leader BK Hariprasad, as well as alleging polarization, said the education minister cannot confine schools to one religion since the government schools are being run with taxpayers' money.
The BJP countered the opposition accusing them of playing "politics over everything"
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has asked the opposition why they are angry since saffron is in the National Flag, and added that schools are built in the name of Swami Vivekananda. The name Vivekananda means knowledge for one and all, he said further.
Meanwhile, the minister for Primary and Secondary Education, BC Nagesh said the choice of paint for walls and windows is decided as suggested by the architects and added that the government has no role in it.
