SC Rejects Plea Against School Entry Curbs: What Rajasthan, UP Orders Mean

The PIL sought restrictions on the entry of journalists, YouTubers, social media personalities and civil society members into government schools photography, videography, interviews and livestreaming inside government schools without obtaining prior permission.

By Sakshi

New Delhi, September 3: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition challenging the ban on the entry of journalists, journalists, social media personalities and civil society members into government schools in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

The dismissal of the public interest litigation (PIL) comes after Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) volunteers visited a number of schools in Jaipur and highlighted major lapses on the school premises. During their visit, the group, led by the outfit's spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, was confronted and chased away by some locals. The incident was recorded on camera.

The PIL also sought restrictions on photography, videography, interviews and livestreaming inside government schools without obtaining prior permission.

The bench, comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, was hearing the plea. In its September 1 order on the matter, the bench had said, "We are not inclined to entertain the writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India."

The plea specifically challenged an August 16 circular issued by Rajasthan's Director of Secondary Education, requiring outsiders to seek permission from the principal before visiting the premises of a government school in the state.

The plea also challenged an August 19 order issued by the District Basic Education Officer, Ayodhya, directing that outsiders, YouTubers and persons associated with social media should not enter council schools or take photographs or videos without permission from the competent authority. It said similar orders had been issued in other districts of Uttar Pradesh as well.

The dismissal of the public interest litigation (PIL) comes after Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) volunteers visited a number of schools in Jaipur and highlighted major lapses on the school premises.

Aftermath of the Rajasthan School Protest

The old building of Government Primary School, Rampura (Kanwarpura), was bulldozed in the presence of district administration and education department officials, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. CJP spokesperson Ranka claimed that this was the same school in Rampura that used to operate out of a buffalo shed.

"When we inspected the school, stones were thrown at us, women were assaulted, and vehicle windows were smashed. But once a good school is built for our children, it will all be worth it," he said in a social media post.

The school had already been declared dilapidated and unsafe following a technical survey in September 2025. Officials said it was subsequently taken out of use. The Rajasthan government last month announced that a new school building would soon be built at a cost of Rs 18 lakh in its place.

Of the total amount, Rs 12 lakh was sanctioned from the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) on August 13, while another Rs 6 lakh was allocated from the MLA fund.

A teacher at the school, Asha, who was present at the site, said, "A new school building will be constructed here. A good space will be created. It is good for students as well as teachers."

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activists had visited the Rajasthan school as part of the "School Thik Karo" campaign, a flagship initiative by the outfit after it announced its core team in August.

(With inputs from PTI)