With the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) stepping up pressure on the Rajasthan government over the poor condition of schools in the state, the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bhartiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM) has hit back at the outfit and opposed its actions while mobilizing its network of lakhs of members across the state to improve the education system.

ABRSM's Stance on Political Interference

In its latest newsletter for September, ABRSM stated that government schools should be "free from political activities and outside interference," adding that "the temples of education will not be allowed to become a political arena at any cost." The Mahasangh strongly opposes outside interference in schools and the use of teachers for political activities.

This response comes after a confrontation over the CJP’s protest at a Rajasthan government school on August 21 in Rampura village of Jaipur’s Bagru Assembly constituency. Days after the protest, the Rajasthan government announced renovations at the school—a development that the CJP took as a sign of victory.

ABRSM boasts a membership of 2.80 lakh government school teachers in Rajasthan and 13.60 lakh across the country, with about 45,000 ABRSM workers/post holders in the state.

Countering the CJP Campaign

Referring to the attack on a CJP delegation that was on its way to visit a school on the outskirts of Jaipur, ABRSM’s state organization minister, Umrao Lal Verma, backed the villagers who opposed the visit. He stated, "Violence and physical violence cannot be supported under any circumstances, but the question of why political disputes are being brought to government schools is also serious."

Verma emphasized that if any individual or organization has objections to the arrangements, facilities, or educational status of a government school, they should use the prescribed channels of the education department and administration. He remarked, "It is not appropriate to enter a school without following the due process and creating a political controversy."

Last month, ABRSM held press conferences across the state to oppose CJP’s actions. Talking to The Indian Express, ABRSM national president Narayan Lal Gupta mentioned that the organization has been raising issues of school infrastructure and teacher vacancies under successive governments for a long time. He added that instead of merely highlighting the issues, there should be an attempt towards a solution.