Teachers Alarmed by Rising Crime and Disorder in Rajasthan Schools, Demand Stronger Legal Protections

Banswara- Rajasthan Teachers’ Association (SiyaRam) has urged the state government to enact stringent laws in the assembly to combat the escalating hooliganism, harassment, gun violence, land encroachments, and lockouts in schools, citing an increasing climate of fear among educators.

Incident 1: A knife attack on teachers at the Government Higher Primary School in Dharana village, Balotra district.

Incident 2: An assault involving a pistol at the Government School in Balerapura, Dholpur district.

Incident 3: A physical altercation involving a junior assistant and the institution’s head over a signature issue.

The association is calling for an FIR to be filed against the individual who attacked teachers with a knife at the Government Higher Primary School in Dharana and for expedited legal action in a fast-track court.

Arun Vyas, education secretary of the association, criticized the Rajasthan government's lenient policies, which he argues have allowed antisocial elements to invade schools, harass teachers, and physically assault staff and administrators. He asserts that passing a strict legal bill is crucial to preventing such incidents.

On a recent Friday afternoon, a man armed with a knife and a petrol can entered a government school for children up to the eighth grade. He locked himself in a classroom where a teacher was conducting a lesson and attempted to douse her with petrol. When the headmaster and other teachers intervened, he attacked them with a knife, causing serious injuries. The staff and villagers managed to subdue him, and the incident occurred around 12:15 p.m.

DSP Neeraj Sharma reported that around 12:15 p.m., the attacker entered the school holding a petrol can. When he began moving towards the classrooms, teachers stopped him. During this confrontation, he attacked the teachers with a knife.

The headmaster, Hardayal Saini, and teacher, Suresh Rajpurohit, sustained injuries and were taken to Nahata District Hospital in Balotra. They were subsequently referred to Jodhpur for further treatment.

Teacher Vimla Devi recounted: “Around 12:15 p.m., while we were teaching, a man entered the room with a petrol can. He locked one door, causing panic among the children. As I tried to leave, he brandished a knife. We huddled in a corner, and he locked the second door as well. His intent was to pour petrol on us. The headmaster kicked open the door, but during the struggle, the attacker injured both him and another teacher. The children were terrified, and some were injured.”

The attacker, identified as Baburam (40), son of Punmaram Bhil, is reported to be economically disadvantaged and mentally ill. He had previously climbed a tower two months ago and was coaxed down.

The police have noted that the attacker has a history of mental instability and previous assaults. After the incident, a large crowd of villagers gathered outside the school, locking the gates and staging a protest. They allege that despite repeated incidents involving the attacker, no effective measures have been taken to address the issue.