After Bagalkot school roof collapse, K’taka BJP challenges Rahul Gandhi to hold ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ on site

Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka on Thursday challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to stage his “Chhatron Ki Goonj” outreach at a government school in Bagalkot where a roof caved in while children were in class, using the incident to attack the state Congress government’s record on education and safety.

Posting a video of the damaged structure on X, the senior BJP leader said the collapse at Mugololli Tanda in Bagalkot taluk laid bare what he called the hollowness of the ruling party’s welfare guarantees. “Mr Rahul Gandhi, how about doing a ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ at this Karnataka’s ‘KHATAKHAT ROOF SCHOOL’?” Ashoka wrote, linking the episode to Gandhi’s earlier student-focused events and the party’s poll promises.

Ashoka said the episode involved children, not just numbers, and asked how a party that champions “Nyay” could fail to provide safe classrooms. “A party that lectures India on Nyay cannot guarantee a safe classroom. A government that promises guarantees can’t even guarantee the roof over a child’s head,” he said.

He called on Gandhi to skip rallies and visit the affected school to speak directly with students. “Forget the stage. Forget the slogans. Forget the rehearsed speeches. Come to Karnataka. Stand in this school. Look at the children. Listen to their voices. Do your ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’,” Ashoka said.

Directing sharper criticism at Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Ashoka alleged that government schools across the state were suffering from crumbling infrastructure, shortages of textbooks, inadequate transport and a lack of basic supplies such as shoes and socks for pupils. “Now, children do not even have a safe roof over their heads to peacefully attend classes,” he said.

“Is this your ‘guarantee’ government? Is this all your guarantee extends to when it comes to the lives of children?” he asked, accusing the administration of giving greater priority to political publicity than to education and child safety.

Ashoka urged the government to order an immediate inspection of all dilapidated government school buildings in Karnataka and carry out necessary repairs to ensure a safe learning environment. His comments followed the roof collapse at the Mugololli Tanda school, which he cited as evidence of alleged neglect of children’s education and safety under the Congress dispensation.

(Inputs from IANS)