Jaipur Deaf Students Protest Over Poor School Conditions: Principal Suspended

Deaf students in Jaipur staged a silent protest over unsafe infrastructure and poor facilities, leading the Rajasthan government to take immediate action.

For the first time in Rajasthan, Deaf and speech-impaired students held a large silent protest using sign language to demand better facilities at their school.

The protest took place on 5 August 2026 at Seth Anandilal Poddar Higher Secondary School for the Hearing and Speech Impaired in Jaipur. The school has more than 550 students from Class 1 to Class 12.

The protest began after a piece of plaster fell from a classroom ceiling and injured a student. Students said they had repeatedly complained about the unsafe building but no action was taken. They then left their classrooms and gathered at the school gate, refusing to return until their concerns were addressed.

Students raised several issues, including damaged classrooms, dirty toilets, blocked sewer lines, shortage of drinking water, poor cleanliness, a damaged school bus, shortage of teachers and poor hostel facilities. They also said there were not enough teachers who knew Indian Sign Language and alleged that students were being charged for basic needs such as phone calls to their parents and hospital visits.

After the protest gained attention, Education Department officials inspected the school and found that many of the complaints were genuine. Principal Bharat Joshi was removed from his post, while one teacher and a Class IV employee were placed under Awaiting Posting Orders (APO). Vice Principal Reshma Batra was given charge of the school.

The Education Department has also formed a committee to examine the building, toilets, drinking water, cleanliness and other facilities and suggest long-term solutions.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also visited the school and met the protesting students. He said schools for Deaf and speech-impaired students need special attention, better infrastructure and proper facilities.

The students' silent protest showed that even without spoken words, their demands could be heard and lead to action.