The first day of the monsoon session of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly witnessed intense political drama as Congress MLAs, led by former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, staged a protest against the state government. The primary focus of the agitation was the deteriorating condition of government schools across the state. Congress legislators took out a march and held a sit-in demonstration outside the assembly premises to voice their concerns regarding student safety and administrative negligence.
Safety Concerns and Infrastructure Collapse
Addressing the media during the protest, Sachin Pilot launched a scathing attack on the state government, stating that the safety of children should be the topmost priority. He pointed out that many school buildings are in a dilapidated state, posing a grave risk to students. Pilot highlighted that during the ongoing monsoon season, several incidents of roof collapses have been reported. He reminded the government that last year, such negligence led to the tragic death of several children. Despite these alarming incidents, Pilot alleged that the government has failed to initiate urgent repair work or improve the basic infrastructure of these educational institutions.
Criticism of Restrictions on Media and Public
Sachin Pilot expressed strong disapproval of the government's recent move to restrict the entry of the media and the general public into school premises. He accused the administration of trying to hide the truth about the poor state of schools by banning the recording of photos and videos within school campuses. According to Pilot, instead of fixing the systemic issues, the government is more focused on ensuring that the reality of the crumbling classrooms doesn't reach the public eye. He emphasized that the government's priority should be on classrooms, buildings, and the overall well-being and nutrition of the students rather than imposing such bans.
Demand for Education Minister's Resignation
The Congress leader directed his criticism specifically at Education Minister Madan Dilawar. Pilot asserted that the Education Minister has no right to remain in his post if he can't provide a safe and conducive learning environment for children. He noted that even the High Court has reprimanded the government multiple times regarding the state of schools, yet the administration remains indifferent to public demands, while pilot questioned the accountability of the minister, stating that when the lives of children are at stake due to poor infrastructure, the person in charge must take responsibility and step down.
Financial Priorities and Political Diversions
Pilot further alleged that while the government claims to have 1000 crore rupees to spend on various other schemes, it appears completely disinterested in improving the fundamental facilities in schools. He contrasted the current administration's approach with that of the previous Congress government, which focused on opening new schools, whereas the current government is allegedly moving towards closing them down. He mentioned that in many places, students themselves are protesting due to a lack of teachers and basic amenities. On top of that, Pilot accused the BJP of using the names of Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi to distract from their own failures over the last 12 years. He also cited national incidents, such as the use of pellet guns against protesting students in Delhi and firing in Bihar, questioning why the Prime Minister and Home Minister remained silent in Parliament for 20 days despite Rahul Gandhi's persistent questions.
UCC and Local Body Elections
On the issue of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill, Pilot questioned the government's intent, suggesting it's a tool for communal politics. He argued that India is a land of diversity with various traditions, especially among tribal communities in Rajasthan. He asked why the government doesn't implement a national UCC if it's so committed to the idea. Finally, Pilot declared that the Congress party is fully prepared for the upcoming local body and panchayat elections, while he accused the government of intentionally delaying the panchayat polls by postponing the reservation lottery, but expressed confidence that the public, tired of BJP's governance, would vote for Congress.