Top News

A research scholar at Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University in Tirur has launched an indefinite protest at the university entrance, alleging caste-based discrimination, harassment and denial of academic support. Anagha Sasi, a research scholar in the Department of Environmental Studies, has accused several faculty members of subjecting her to caste-related harassment since 2024.

Sasi, who is from Kochi, has alleged that despite submitting multiple complaints over the past two years, the university failed to adequately address her grievances. She is now demanding an independent investigation into her allegations and suspension of the faculty members named in her complaints pending the inquiry.

The university, however, has rejected her allegations, describing them as baseless.

Research Scholar Alleges Caste-Based Harassment

According to Sasi, she faced a series of incidents that she considers discriminatory and humiliating during her research work at the university.

She has alleged that she was assigned tasks such as sweeping classrooms, dusting books and files and cleaning laboratory equipment, despite being a research scholar. She also claimed that she was denied essential academic and research support and was at times asked to stand in a corridor without a chair.

In one of her allegations, Sasi claimed that a faculty member told her that she would have to follow his directions if she wanted to continue her PhD studies. She further alleged that the faculty member made a remark suggesting that her fellowship was awarded because of her caste rather than her academic qualifications.

The allegations have raised concerns over the treatment of research scholars and the need for effective mechanisms to address complaints of caste discrimination in higher education institutions.

Scholar Seeks Independent Inquiry

Sasi has said that she approached the university with complaints on several occasions but was dissatisfied with the action taken.

She has also alleged that inquiry committees constituted by the university submitted reports that were unfavourable to her claims. Citing concerns over the impartiality of the previous inquiries, she is seeking an investigation by an independent external agency.

As part of her current protest, Sasi has demanded that the faculty members named in her allegations be suspended while an independent inquiry is conducted.

She has stated that she will continue her indefinite protest until she receives what she considers justice.

MLA, Welfare Party Leader Back Protest

Sasi's protest has received support from political and social figures.

P.K. Navas, a local MLA, has publicly supported her demands and called for an external agency to investigate the allegations. Navas stressed the need to ensure that students receive institutional support and that complaints of discrimination are addressed fairly.

On August 16, Razak Paleri, State President of the Welfare Party of India, visited Sasi at the protest site and also called for an independent investigation.

Paleri questioned the decision to have the university Registrar oversee the inquiry, arguing that the Registrar had previously dealt with Sasi's complaints. He said an external agency would be better placed to examine the allegations impartially.

Paleri also called for Sasi's research guide and research topic to be approved without further delay and urged the university to provide her with the academic resources required to continue her research.

University Rejects Allegations

The university has categorically rejected Sasi's allegations, maintaining that the claims are baseless and unfounded.

The disagreement between the research scholar and the university has now brought renewed attention to issues of caste discrimination, research support and grievance redressal mechanisms in higher education.

Sasi's demand for an external inquiry comes amid a continuing dispute over the earlier institutional investigations into her complaints. With the scholar continuing her indefinite protest and political representatives backing her call for an independent probe, the university is under pressure to address the matter and clarify the steps it intends to take.

The case also highlights the importance of transparent and independent grievance mechanisms for research scholars, particularly when allegations involve faculty members and questions of caste-based discrimination. Any determination regarding the allegations would ultimately depend on the findings of an impartial investigation.

The Rajasthan government has imposed strict restrictions on the entry of unauthorised outsiders into state-run schools, including curbs on photography, videography, interviews and live streaming of school activities. The guidelines were issued on Sunday, the same day the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced plans to visit government schools across the state as part of its ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign.

The Rajasthan Secondary Education Department said the new measures are aimed at protecting students’ privacy, dignity, safety and well-being. The government cited the principle of “in loco parentis”, meaning “in place of parents”, to justify stronger safeguards for children within school premises.

The restrictions also refer to the Right to Privacy of children and school safety guidelines issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

CJP Plans Rajasthan Government School Audit

The new guidelines came after CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka announced that he would visit government schools in several Rajasthan cities under the party’s ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign.

Ranka said his team had received requests to inspect schools in Jaipur, Kota, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Barmer and Hanumangarh. According to the CJP, complaints have been received about allegedly poor infrastructure and deteriorating conditions in some government schools, with demands for repairs reportedly not receiving adequate attention from the administration.

The planned visits are intended to assess school infrastructure, amenities and the quality of education being provided to students.

Rajasthan Govt School Entry Rules

Under the new Rajasthan government school guidelines, outsiders will not be permitted to enter school premises without prior approval from the principal or head of the institution. Authorised government officials are exempt from this requirement.

Visitors who receive permission must record their details in the school visitor register before entering the premises.

The government has also restricted access to sensitive areas. Outsiders cannot enter classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, playgrounds, toilets or other areas where students are engaged in activities unless they are accompanied by the principal, a teacher or another authorised school official.

Principals have also been given the authority to refuse entry to visitors if their presence is considered likely to affect school security, student privacy, discipline or the academic environment.

Photography, Interviews and Live Streaming Restricted

The Rajasthan government has specifically prohibited unauthorised photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live streaming of students, teachers or school activities.

Such activities will require prior written permission from the principal and must be carried out only for lawful purposes.

The guidelines further state that photographs, videos or personal information relating to students must not be collected, published or disseminated in a manner that compromises their privacy, dignity or safety.

The government has directed school authorities to take immediate action if these rules are violated.

Legal Action Against Unauthorised Visitors

According to the circular, anyone who enters a school without permission and refuses to leave, attempts unauthorised photography or videography, or disrupts school functioning may face legal action.

In such cases, the principal is required to inform the local police and the District Education Officer.

School heads may also direct unauthorised visitors to leave the premises and initiate proceedings under applicable laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023; Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015; and Information Technology Act, 2000.

The government has instructed supervisory officers to ensure strict compliance with the new school safety guidelines.

Opposition Accuses BJP Govt Of Hiding Poor School Conditions

The restrictions have drawn criticism from the Opposition. Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra accused the BJP government of attempting to conceal alleged shortcomings in the state’s government school system rather than addressing them.

He alleged that instead of improving school infrastructure and educational facilities, the government was trying to prevent outsiders from seeing the condition of government schools.

The latest development has therefore triggered a debate over the balance between student privacy and transparency in government schools. While the government has emphasised child safety and privacy, the Opposition has questioned whether the restrictions could make independent scrutiny of school infrastructure more difficult.

As the CJP prepares for its proposed Rajasthan government school audit, attention is likely to remain focused on how the new entry and photography rules will be implemented and whether they affect efforts to independently assess the condition of government schools.

Students in Jharkhand’s Garhwa district have been protesting the transfer of a teacher from their high school for the past three days, with the agitation turning tense on Thursday following a confrontation between the protesters and Kandi block chief Pinku Pandey.

The students, along with other protesters, have been demanding that the transfer of teacher Malay Singh be cancelled. The protest initially took place at the district collectorate before spreading to the Kandi block, where students blocked roads as part of their agitation.

The situation escalated when Kandi block chief Pinku Pandey reached the protest site to speak to the students and other protesters who were blocking the road.

According to reports, a confrontation broke out during which Pandey allegedly slapped one of the students. The incident further inflamed the situation, with protesters allegedly damaging the block chief’s vehicle.

Pandey subsequently left the spot and took shelter at a nearby police station. The protesting students also reached the police station following the confrontation.

The students have remained firm on their demand that Singh’s transfer be revoked. They are also seeking action against those involved in the confrontation and have continued their road blockade.

The protest has disrupted normal activity in the area as the students insist that the teacher should be allowed to continue at the school.

Police have been monitoring the situation and attempting to prevent further escalation. A Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) said authorities had received information about the incident and informed senior officials.

Additional police personnel were being dispatched to the area, the officer said, adding that efforts were underway to persuade the students to withdraw the road blockade and bring the situation under control.

The incident highlights the growing influence of student-led protests over school and administrative decisions, with the transfer of a teacher triggering sustained mobilisation in the district.

Authorities are now working to de-escalate the situation while addressing the students’ concerns and assessing the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

Further developments are awaited.

An 11-year-old Class 6 student died after allegedly coming into contact with a live electric wire on the premises of a government school in Kuppuchipalayam, Erode district, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Following the incident, the school's headmistress, identified as Nirmala, has been suspended by the Education Department. District authorities have also ordered an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the student's death.

The deceased student, identified as Yogesh, was studying at a Government High School in Kuppuchipalayam under the Ammapettai block.

Student electrocuted during lunch break

According to police sources, the incident occurred at around 1:35 pm during the lunch break.

A live electric wire had reportedly fallen near the school's compound wall after snapping during heavy rain and strong winds that affected Bhavani and surrounding areas the previous night.

The wire reportedly fell close to the school's drinking water tank, creating a potential danger for students.

Police sources said the headmistress was aware of the fallen wire and had reportedly warned students to stay away from the area.

However, after lunch, Yogesh and some of his classmates reportedly went towards the water tank to clean their lunch boxes.

The situation turned fatal when Yogesh stepped into water that had accumulated near the fallen live wire and suffered a severe electric shock.

Other students alerted teachers, who rushed to the spot. Teachers reportedly used a bamboo pole to move the live wire away from the child and attempted to rescue him.

Yogesh was taken to the Government Primary Health Centre at Mylambadi, where he was declared dead.

Protest after student's death

The student's death triggered anger among his relatives and members of the local community. Protesters blocked the road near the Kuppuchipalayam bus stop on the Bhavani–Mettur–Thoppur National Highway, demanding accountability and action against those responsible.

The road blockade continued for more than two hours before protesters dispersed following discussions with local officials.

Tension also prevailed at the Mylambadi health centre, where more than 200 people reportedly gathered after learning about the death.

Yogesh's relatives initially resisted the police's efforts to move the body to the Government Erode Medical College Hospital in Perundurai for a post-mortem examination.

Superintendent of Police D.V. Kiran Shruthi intervened and helped facilitate the transfer. The post-mortem examination was completed late Tuesday night.

Inquiry ordered

District Collector S. Kandasamy has ordered an inquiry into the incident, while the Education Department has suspended headmistress Nirmala pending further action.

The Bhavani police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student's death, including the presence of the live wire on the school premises and the safety measures taken after it was reportedly discovered.

The tragedy has also raised concerns over electrical safety and the need for immediate removal or isolation of hazardous infrastructure on school campuses, particularly during extreme weather conditions.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will launch a nationwide campaign titled “School Thik Karo” on Independence Day, August 15, with a focus on improving the condition of government schools in rural areas.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the campaign name on August 12, two days after revealing plans for a nationwide initiative focused on village schools.

The campaign aims to draw attention to gaps in basic school infrastructure and encourage communities to take a greater role in monitoring government schools. Dipke has urged parents to conduct social audits of basic facilities at schools and called on village sarpanches to take responsibility for improving local educational institutions.

“Kids in villages shouldn’t be pleading for basic facilities at school after 80 years of Independence,” Dipke said in a post on X.

“As a country, we have failed rural kids in the worst possible way,” he added while announcing the Independence Day campaign.

UP Children Protest Over Poor Road

The campaign announcement came amid a protest by children and residents in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur over the poor condition of a roughly 1.5-km road connecting several settlements along the Yamuna belt.

Following rainfall, the road has reportedly turned muddy and difficult to navigate. Residents said the damaged stretch serves nearly 3,000 people living in Chandupur and surrounding settlements, including Brahma ka Dera, Banvasi ka Dera, Athbhaiyan ka Dera, Bachchi ka Dera, Bhikhua ka Dera, Gusai Baba ka Dera and Gangwa ka Dera.

According to residents, the road has affected children's ability to reach school and created difficulties for families trying to take patients to hospitals.

Children Block Collectorate Gate

On Tuesday morning, children and residents marched towards the Collectorate to highlight their concerns. SDM Sadar Abhishek Kumar and CO Yashpal Singh, accompanied by police personnel, attempted to stop the protesters.

The children continued to the Collectorate and blocked its main gate. Officials reportedly attempted to convince them to end the protest, but the children refused to leave, leaving officials and employees inside unable to exit.

CJP Expands Youth-Focused Campaigns

The School Thik Karo campaign marks another expansion of CJP’s youth-focused activities. The platform, founded by Dipke as an online satirical initiative while he was in the US, later became associated with street-level protests on issues affecting students.

CJP previously organised protests over the NEET paper leak and other education-related concerns. Its demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar attracted students and parents from different parts of the country, with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk also joining the agitation.

Following the protests, CJP held a two-day strategy meeting in Maharashtra and announced plans to continue as a youth movement, with Wangchuk serving as its mentor.

The organisation has also announced the nationwide “Kya Bolti Public” campaign to gather public feedback on major concerns, with education identified as its first focus.

Through “School Thik Karo”, CJP is now seeking to shift attention from student-specific protests to the wider condition of rural school infrastructure and access to basic educational facilities.

The Associated Managements of Schools (KAMS) has withdrawn its earlier advisory asking schools to remain closed during the proposed Cauvery bandh in Karnataka on August 13, citing concerns over the loss of academic days.

The decision comes particularly amid concerns over teacher shortages in aided schools and the additional workload associated with the ongoing SIR work.

While withdrawing its school-closure call, KAMS said it would continue to extend moral and peaceful support to the cause of protecting Karnataka's interests in the Cauvery water dispute.

The association has also suggested that schools use the day as an opportunity to help students understand the long-running interstate water dispute.

Schools May Wear Black Ribbons

Instead of shutting schools, KAMS said school managements, teachers and non-teaching staff may express solidarity by wearing a black ribbon or black strip on August 13.

The association stressed that the symbolic gesture should not disrupt regular academic activities.

However, following a fresh direction to Karnataka to release Cauvery water, KAMS has left the decision on declaring a holiday to individual school managements, depending on the local situation.

KAMS Suggests Cauvery Dispute Lessons for Students

KAMS secretary D Shashi Kumar said students from Classes 5 to 12 could be given age-appropriate and factual information about the Cauvery dispute during school assembly or a classroom session.

The association has suggested discussions covering:

• The history and background of the Cauvery water dispute
• Karnataka's dependence on Cauvery water for drinking water and agriculture
• The importance of the river to livelihoods
• Challenges created by inadequate rainfall and water scarcity
• Karnataka's concerns over water allocation
• Constitutional processes and judicial decisions
• The importance of cooperation between states
• Peaceful and responsible democratic expression
• Water conservation and sustainable water management

The idea is to turn a politically sensitive issue into an opportunity for civic and environmental education, rather than allowing students to become participants in political mobilisation.

Students Could Write to Supreme Court or Tribunal

KAMS has also suggested that students could be encouraged to prepare posters or letters addressed to the Supreme Court or relevant tribunal, seeking a fair distribution of Cauvery water.

According to the association, students could explore factors such as rainfall, drought conditions and water availability while expressing their views.

However, KAMS has made it clear that such activities should remain peaceful, balanced, educational and non-political.

Students should not be compelled to participate in protests or activities that could compromise their safety, emotional well-being or regular education.

Why KAMS Reversed Its School Closure Advisory

The association's decision to withdraw its earlier closure call is partly linked to concerns about academic disruption.

Schools have already faced pressure from teacher shortages, particularly in the aided-school sector. Additional closures could further reduce the number of instructional days available to students.

KAMS therefore appears to be seeking a middle path — allowing schools to remain operational while giving managements, teachers and students a way to acknowledge Karnataka's position in the Cauvery dispute.

Kannada Organisations to Meet Ahead of Bandh

Meanwhile, several Kannada organisations and associations have opted to extend moral support rather than immediately call for widespread disruption.

The Federation of Kannada Organisations has scheduled a meeting of stakeholders on Wednesday to discuss the proposed statewide bandh and formulate a strategy for the protest.

Praveen Shetty, who heads one faction of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), said the situation had changed since the bandh was initially announced.

He pointed out that when the bandh was called, concerns over inadequate dam storage and drinking-water availability were at the centre of the issue.

According to Shetty, Karnataka now has sufficient storage to meet drinking-water requirements, but the Cauvery Water Management Authority has again directed the state to release water.

The federation and other Kannada organisations are expected to assess the latest situation before deciding the nature and scale of Thursday's protest.

What This Means for Karnataka Schools

For parents and students, the immediate question is whether schools will remain open on August 13.

KAMS has withdrawn its general call for closure, but it has left the final decision with individual school managements based on local circumstances.

Schools are therefore expected to communicate any holiday decision directly to parents and students.

At the same time, KAMS's revised advisory signals an effort to keep the Cauvery issue within an educational and democratic framework, rather than allowing school closures or student participation in protests to become the focus.

The association has urged schools to maintain regular academic activities while ensuring that any discussion of the Cauvery dispute remains factual, age-appropriate, peaceful and non-political.