08/08/2026
More than 100 students at Jaipur’s Government Seth Anandilal Poddar School for Deaf students staged a protest outside the school.
The protest reportedly began after a piece of plaster fell from a classroom ceiling and struck a student.
But students said this was not an isolated problem.
They had been raising concerns about the condition of the school for some time.
Students complained about cracked classroom walls, a shortage of drinking water, unhygienic toilets and poor hostel food and basic facilities.
They said these problems had been neglected despite their numerous complaints.
The students also raised concerns about not having enough teachers who were proficient in Indian Sign Language.
For students who rely on sign language to communicate, this can directly affect their ability to learn and participate in school.
Some students also made more serious allegations.
They alleged that they were charged money to call their parents or to be taken to a hospital when they needed medical attention.
Female students also accused a male staff member of harassment. These allegations are now under inquiry.
And the protest itself looked different from what we usually picture when we hear the word “protest.”
There were no slogans, speeches or loud demonstrations. Hundreds of students communicated their demands through sign language, gestures and placards.
Their protest eventually caught the attention of the Education Department.
Officials inspected the school and took action against the principal, Bharat Joshi. He was suspended following the inspection, according to reports
These students fought for their right to a safe, accessible education and they won the first round.
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