The prominent “cockroach” movement against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has launched a new campaign targeting the poor condition of government schools. But tensions have flared in West Bengal after the father of one movement activist died following an incident at his home.
The pressure group, known as the “Cockroach Janata Party,” or CJP, recently claimed credit for helping force the resignation of India’s education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. He resigned last month after a 37-day sit-in protest triggered nationwide anti-government demonstrations by young people.
The organization’s new campaign is called “Fix the Schools.” Under it, supporters are asked to inspect government schools in their own areas and assess conditions there, particularly safe drinking water, functioning toilets, electricity, usable classrooms, school security, midday meals, and teacher attendance.
On August 13, 26-year-old Abdul Hafiz visited a government primary school in West Bengal’s Bankura district, the same school he once attended. According to allegations, local BJP workers attacked his home hours after the school visit. Hafiz and his father, Mohammad Mafik, were injured in the attack. Mafik, 51, died two days later.
West Bengal’s BJP leadership has said the attackers have no connection to the party and has promised an investigation into the incident. Despite his father’s death, Abdul Hafiz has said their movement demanding better education will not stop.
CJP founder Abhijit Deepak said it was deeply alarming that people were being attacked, and in this case killed, simply for demanding better schools.
Separately, in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, an organization leader joined students in a sit-in demanding additional classrooms, clean toilets, and drinking water at their school. Local officials later said they had agreed to the demands.
The Rajasthan government, however, has imposed new restrictions on outsiders entering government schools and taking photographs or videos there. Officials cited student privacy in announcing the decision, but activists see it as an attempt to obstruct their campaign.
Education experts say many government schools in India have long suffered from teacher shortages, weak infrastructure, and poor educational quality. By harnessing social media, the “cockroach” movement has brought renewed national attention to these issues.
Analysts, however, warn that the movement’s activists, given their limited political and organizational strength, remain vulnerable to attacks and violence. Even so, the organization’s leaders say their campaign for accountability and reform in government schools will continue regardless of the obstacles they face.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report