Jhalawar (Rajasthan): A devastating tragedy struck Piplodi village in Manoharthana block of Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district on Friday morning when the roof of a classroom at the Government Upper Primary School collapsed, killing seven children and seriously injuring nine others. At the time of the incident, 35 students were present in the classroom.
While heavy rainfall is believed to have contributed to the collapse, parents and locals allege gross negligence by authorities, claiming repeated pleas for building repairs over the past four years had gone unheard.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with several organizations holding the government accountable for the preventable tragedy. Muhammad Nazimuddin, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Rajasthan, condemned the incident as a result of administrative failure. Offering his condolences to the bereaved families, he demanded a high-level investigation and the immediate suspension of responsible officials. “This tragedy is heartbreaking for the families whose children never returned from school. It is not just a personal loss but a collective failure of the system,” Nazimuddin stated. He also urged the resignation of the Education Minister, calling them morally accountable, and demanded immediate reconstruction or repair of all dilapidated school buildings in the state.
The All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) expressed deep grief and stressed the need for a judicial probe. AIITA President Khalid Akhtar questioned the role of education department officials in issuing “Building Safety Certificates” — a mandatory annual requirement for schools. “If such a certificate was issued, who granted it for such a visibly unsafe structure? And if it wasn’t, who will be held responsible for the oversight?” he asked. The association also wrote a letter to the Chief Minister demanding immediate inspection of all school buildings in the state.
Arshad Ali, State General Secretary of the Welfare Party of India, Rajasthan, blamed the education administration’s negligence for the horrific event and demanded adequate financial compensation for the affected families. He urged authorities to relocate students from unsafe buildings, especially during the monsoon season, until proper repairs are made.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Baran unit president Laeeq Ahmed expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and called for public support. He appealed to citizens, youth, and social organizations in Manoharthana and nearby areas to come forward with relief efforts, including blood donations and emotional support for families affected by the tragedy.
All organizations unanimously called for a judicial inquiry into the incident, free medical treatment for the injured children, suspension and prosecution of negligent officials, and urgent inspection, repair, or rebuilding of all unsafe school buildings in the state.
The tragedy has brought to light the alarming neglect of infrastructure in government schools, particularly in rural areas, and has sent shockwaves across the state. Public pressure is mounting on the government to ensure such a disaster is never repeated.
