Tragedy Strikes Rajasthan: Leaders Console Victims of School Collapse

A devastating collapse at Piplod Government School in Jhalawar district claimed the lives of seven children and injured 28 others on Friday. The incident occurred during morning prayers when a section of the building, housing Classes 6 and 7, caved in, trapping around 35 students under debris, according to police reports.

Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, alongside her son, MP Dushyant Singh, visited the injured at SRG Hospital in Jhalawar. Raje criticized the education department for failing to identify the dilapidated structure, stating, "This tragedy could have been avoided if officials had acted sooner to relocate students to safer buildings." She called for a statewide survey to identify and replace unsafe school structures to prevent future incidents.

State Education Minister Madan Dilawar visited the Manohar Thana Community Health Centre, where the deceased were kept, to console grieving families. He assured comprehensive support for the victims and wished the hospitalized students a swift recovery. Dilawar expressed profound sorrow for the loss and pledged government assistance.

Also Read: PM Modi, Murmu Salute Kargil Heroes’ Epic Sacrifice

Protests erupted at Guradi Circle and outside SRG Hospital, with villagers and families of the deceased blocking roads. Congress leader Naresh Meena joined the demonstrators but was detained by police. Tensions escalated as protesters pelted stones, injuring a policeman, prompting authorities to use mild force to clear the blockade, said Jhalawar SP Amit Kumar Budaniya. The bodies are set to be released to families on Saturday.

Currently, 20 children remain under treatment—12 at SRG Hospital and eight at Manohar Thana CHC. Raje urged against politicizing the tragedy, emphasizing the need for sensitivity and proactive measures to ensure student safety.

Also Read: Gaza’s Starvation Crisis: Why Aid Isn’t Reaching Palestinians