Congress MLAs boycott Rajasthan Assembly monsoon session opening over school entry rules
The Opposition Congress in Rajasthan boycotted the first day of the Assembly’s monsoon session on Thursday (August 20, 2026), protesting the State Government’s recent decision to restrict outsiders from entering government schools.
The Congress legislators staged a dharna outside the Assembly and demanded the resignation of State Education Minister Madan Dilawar. They later marched from the Government Seth Anandilal Podar School for the Deaf and Mute toward the Assembly after being denied entry into the school. Police stopped the marchers with barricades, leading to a brief scuffle between some lawmakers and personnel.
Inside the House, Speaker Vasudev Devnani expressed disappointment over the absence of Opposition members. Ruling party Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg said the Congress should raise its concerns on the floor of the House rather than creating disturbances outside. Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham accused the Congress of staying away from the rendition of the national song Vande Mataram, calling it “appeasement politics.”
The Assembly proceedings were adjourned till Friday (August 21, 2026) after obituary references and legislative business, which included the introduction of the Rajasthan Tree (Protection) Bill – proposing special protection for 29 tree species including khejri – and a Bill for establishing a private university.
While sitting on dharna, the Congress MLAs raised slogans and alleged that thousands of schools in the State have dilapidated buildings, shortages of teachers and lack of basic facilities. Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully said: “About 85,000 school classrooms are in poor condition, 1.25 lakh teaching posts are vacant and nine lakh children have dropped out of schools in the last three years.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party government’s restriction on outsiders entering government schools also bars photography and videography without written approval from the heads of institutions. The government has cited the “safety and privacy” of students as the reason for the abrupt decision, which has triggered a political row in the State.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra and AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot were among those who joined the demonstration. Mr. Dotasra questioned the locking of the Assembly’s gate, saying it was done to prevent Congress MLAs from raising public issues. The Congress leaders said they had been stopped from entering through a gate that had traditionally been used since the Assembly building was constructed. They announced that the party would submit a privilege motion over the issue.
