NEW DELHI: India’s government-run schools have emerged as a new political battleground for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a grassroots pressure group expands its campaign demanding improvements in public education.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which recently led protests that preceded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, has launched its “Fix the Schools” campaign, urging supporters to inspect government schools across the country.
Volunteers are focusing on four areas: drinking water and functioning toilets, electricity and usable classrooms, boundary walls and safety, and midday meals and teacher attendance.
The campaign took a deadly turn in West Bengal after activist Abdul Hafeez visited his former primary school in Bankura district on August 13.
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Hafeez said that local BJP workers later assaulted him and his father, Mohammad Mafik, who died two days later from his injuries. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari denied any BJP connection to the attackers, describing them as criminals and promising action.
Hafeez said the incident would not stop the campaign for improved education.
School campaign gathers momentum
In Rajasthan, CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka joined primary school pupils at a sit-in demanding additional classrooms, clean toilets and drinking water. Local officials subsequently accepted the demands, according to reports.
The BJP-led Rajasthan government later restricted unauthorised visitors from entering government schools and taking photographs or videos, citing pupils’ privacy.
Education-policy expert Samina Bano said deficiencies extended beyond infrastructure to teaching standards, learning outcomes and school meals, arguing that India’s public education system required major reform.
Political analyst Asim Ali said the CJP was using social media to mobilise supporters without the extensive organisational structures associated with traditional political parties.
Videos of pupils demanding better facilities have circulated online, helping turn school conditions into a broader political issue.
Despite resistance and the violence in West Bengal, CJP leaders say their supporters will continue inspecting schools and pressing authorities for improvements.
