Rajasthan Restricts Outsider Entry to Government Schools

The Rajasthan government has imposed strict new rules limiting access to government schools, a move that came hours after a political campaign announced plans to inspect institutions it claims are in poor condition. The directive, issued on August 16, 2026, requires prior permission from a school principal for any outsider to enter campus grounds and mandates written approval for photography, videography, or interviews.

The order from the Secondary Education Department cites the legal principle of "in loco parentis," asserting the state's responsibility for student safety and privacy. It references Article 21 of the Constitution, a Supreme Court privacy ruling, and guidelines from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Under the new rules, all visitors must sign a register and cannot enter classrooms, labs, or activity areas without being accompanied by a teacher or official. Principals are empowered to deny entry to anyone who might disrupt security or discipline and can call police to remove unauthorized individuals.

The restrictions were announced shortly after Ashutosh Ranka, coconvener of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), declared on social media that the...