The Sarv Jatiya Kandela Khap has condemned the Haryana government’s decision to restrict inspections of government schools by members of the public and the media, alleging that the move was aimed at hiding shortcomings in the education system.

In a joint statement, Khap president Om Prakash Kandela, spokesperson Jagat Singh Redhu and general secretary Raj Singh Kandela said government schools in villages were often built on land donated by villagers and with the support of local communities. Therefore, villagers had a legitimate stake in their functioning, they said.

The statement came after Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda said unauthorised entry into government schools would not be permitted. His remarks followed visits by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists to several government schools as part of their ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign. The activists alleged deficiencies in infrastructure, cleanliness, teacher availability and the quality of midday meals.

The Khap leaders alleged that restrictions on school inspections reflected the government’s attempt to conceal its failures instead of addressing them. They urged the government to focus on improving law and order, creating employment opportunities for young people and tackling drug abuse.

Mr. Raj Singh Kandela said government schools were public institutions and could not be treated as private premises where questions of individual privacy arose. He argued that citizens should be allowed to inspect their functioning so that deficiencies could be identified and rectified.

The Khap urged the government to withdraw the restrictions, warning that failure to do so could have serious consequences in the future.