RSS affiliate Sewa Bharati runs 1,250 schools, teaches kids 'Bharatiyata', 'Kashmiriyat'
- In Reports
- 08:24 PM, Mar 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
Rashtriya Sewa Bharati, associated with the Ekal Vidyalaya Abhiyan initiative, has effectively reached out to Kashmiri Muslims, establishing and operating 1,250 schools in the predominantly Muslim-populated Valley. Their approach involves teaching lessons from the Quran, discussing patriotism, instilling the duties of being an Indian citizen, and imparting lessons on Indian culture, while emphasizing the true essence of Kashmiri identity. This educational initiative, led by Sewa Bharati and affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has made significant strides in the region.
The Kashmir Valley now hosts 1,250 Ekal Vidyalayas across 10 districts, with 180 of them situated in the Baramulla district, an area known for numerous terrorist attacks on both civilians and security personnel. Records from the organization indicate a significant increase of approximately 53% in the number of Ekal Vidyalayas since 2022, rising from 800 to 1,250 over the past two years.
The success story of Sewa Bharati, which has achieved a feat that was almost “unthinkable” in Kashmir a few years ago, said security experts and academicians.
Muslim students, particularly girls, attend the schools, which are operated and managed by Muslim teachers and project leaders. Each school is overseen by village committees consisting of five to six members, some of whom are also local panchayat representatives. The main aim is to instill the genuine essence of "Kashmiriyat," patriotism, the responsibilities of being an Indian citizen, and to prevent them from getting involved in stone-pelting activities, according to a senior committee member.
Amir Mirza, a senior associate with the project (name changed), expressed, "The instruction language is Kashmiri and Urdu. Our goal is to prevent our children from becoming involved in stone-pelting or joining terrorist groups. We aim to steer them away from drug addiction as well." Mirza highlighted that in the past five years, no student from Ekal Vidyalaya in Baramulla district has dropped out or turned to stone-pelting for financial gain. He emphasized that all the students take pride in being Indian Muslims. Furthermore, Mirza mentioned that Quranic teachings are included in the curriculum, and there hasn't been any objection from the organisation regarding this aspect.
Amir became involved in the project 12 years ago at the age of 24. Throughout this time, he faced numerous threats from armed militants and witnessed several incidents of violence in his village. He recounted how the project was labeled as a conspiracy. Despite these challenges, Amir remained committed to his work and received support from the local community.
The local Kashmiri youth are the driving force behind the entire system, referring to the project as their endeavour to preserve Kashmiri identity ("Kashmiriyat"). While Ekal Vidyalayas have been operating in the region for over a decade, they have garnered significant enthusiasm and backing from the community in the last five to six years.
Although senior members of the state committees are hesitant to attribute the increase in numbers directly to the revocation of Article 370 sections, they acknowledge a noticeable shift in society and local attitudes towards embracing the concept of national unity and integration.
A senior member of the organization noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent "Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu-Kashmir" event received significant public participation, indicating a shift in Kashmiri society.
The Ekal Vidyalaya Abhiyan employs a four-tier structure to manage the schools, comprising Anchal Abhiyan Pramukh (area head), Prashikshan Pramukh (teaching head), Mulyankan Pramukh (evaluation head), and Jagaran Pramukh (campaign head). According to the senior member, all these positions are held by Kashmiri Muslims who volunteer to promote "Kashmiriyat."
Approximately 70% or more of the teachers are women. The schools adhere to the curriculum of the general education system in Jammu and Kashmir. A teacher, identified as Hina Ahmed (name changed), mentioned that some students come from villages lacking formal schools, while others come from impoverished families unable to afford formal education. The schools aim to provide primary and secondary education, incorporating nationalist ideals and a special subject on "Kashmiriyat," along with teaching the region's history.
The report highlighted that Ekal Vidyalaya places equal respect for all religious beliefs, emphasising this through its school curriculum, student enrollment, volunteer selection, and operational procedures. It prioritises local cultural heritage to foster a sense of pride and self-respect. The presence of Ekal Vidyalayas in 480 villages in the Kashmir Valley, predominantly inhabited by Muslims, as well as in several villages in Tamil Nadu and Kerala with significant Muslim or Christian populations, demonstrates its commitment to true secular practices.
During a recent meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), recognized as the highest decision-making body of the RSS, Manmohan Vaidya, a senior functionary and joint general secretary of the Sangh, mentioned that "minorities" are increasingly aligning with the organisation.
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