Rajasthan Government Restricts Outsider Access to State Schools Amid CJP Campaign

The Rajasthan government has issued guidelines restricting the entry of outsiders into state run schools without prior permission from the principal. The order, issued by Secondary Education Director Lalit Kumar, prohibits photography, videography, interviews, and live streaming on school premises unless written approval is granted. School authorities are directed to inform police if unauthorized visitors refuse to leave or attempt prohibited recording. The government cited the principle of in loco parentis and the need to protect the safety, dignity, and privacy of children under Article 21 of the Constitution.

These restrictions follow a campaign by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to inspect and improve the condition of government schools. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka recently joined students protesting dilapidated conditions and a lack of drinking water at a government school in Alwar. Ranka stated that the campaign will continue to inspect schools regardless of potential legal action or arrests.

Opposition Congress leader Govind Singh Dotasra criticized the move, arguing that the BJP government is attempting to conceal failures and the poor state of the education system rather than addressing them. He questioned why the government would fear photographs of crumbling buildings or teacher shortages if conditions were satisfactory.

Outlets with a center right lean framed the government's actions as a measure to ensure student privacy and safety based on legal guidelines. In contrast, an outlet with a left lean framed the restrictions as a response to a political campaign that is providing a reality check on the state's development model.