Tragic School Collapse in Rajasthan Claims Lives of Seven Children
Devastating Incident in Jhalawar District
On Friday morning, a primary school building in Jhalawar district, Rajasthan, collapsed during a prayer assembly, resulting in the deaths of seven children and injuring over a dozen others. Alarmingly, just moments before the roof fell, students had alerted their teachers about falling debris, but they were reportedly scolded and instructed to return to class. An eighth-grade student recounted to a news channel, "The children warned that stones were falling from the ceiling, but the teachers ignored us and continued with breakfast."
Condition of the School Building
The tragedy occurred at the government higher primary school in Piplodi, where students from grades 1 to 8 had gathered. Eyewitnesses reported that the building was in a dire state. Although some minor repairs had been made a month prior, the walls and ceiling remained dangerously weak.
Immediate Aftermath and Response
Following the incident, five teachers were suspended on charges of criminal negligence. Local residents helped rescue the children from the rubble and transported the injured to the nearest health center. A grieving relative expressed, "We had previously complained about the building's condition, but no one listened."
Official Acknowledgment and Investigation
District Collector Ajay Singh Rathore acknowledged the prior warnings and confirmed that an investigation has commenced. He stated, "This was clearly negligence. Orders to prevent the use of unsafe buildings had already been issued."
Political Reactions and Accountability
Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, expressed her sorrow, labeling the incident as "heart-wrenching" and called for accountability. The Congress party criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the collapse, with Rahul Gandhi demanding a thorough investigation and severe punishment for those responsible. The incident took place in the Manoharthana block of Jhalawar district.
Details of the Collapse
As students gathered for morning prayers, a section of the roof collapsed, trapping approximately 35 children. Seven children lost their lives, while 27 others sustained injuries. The deceased included Kanha (6), Payal (12), Harish (8), Priyanka (12), Kundan (12), Karthik, and Meena (12).
Further Political Commentary
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to social media to describe the incident as "extremely painful and shameful." He criticized the government for failing to repair school roofs despite receiving complaints, questioning their commitment to the future of the nation—its children. He highlighted other recent incidents of neglect in schools, including one in Delhi where teachers had to evacuate nursery children due to flooding.
Calls for Justice
Kharge emphasized that the BJP's focus seems solely on power, while the safety of children is compromised. Rahul Gandhi also condemned the incident, stating that the deaths of innocent children due to the government's negligence are tragic and concerning. He demanded a fair investigation and strict punishment for those at fault. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed these sentiments, calling for immediate action against those responsible for the negligence that led to this tragedy.