Students Risk Lives to Reach School in Vidisha
The NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about school students crossing the Betwa River over exposed check dam pillars to reach school in Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh. The Commission has sought a detailed report from the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary within two weeks.
Students Risk Lives to Reach School in Vidisha
CNB WORLD TIMES
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about school students from Kakraua village in Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha district risking their lives to cross the Betwa River on exposed check dam pillars to reach school.
According to the report, nine students, including five girls, reportedly use this dangerous route every day. The route reduces their travel distance from about 13 km by road to just 1.5 km.
The Commission observed that, if the media report is true, the situation raises serious concerns regarding the violation of the children’s human rights. Article 21A of the Constitution guarantees free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 years of age. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, also recognises education as a right of every child in this age group.
The NHRC also referred to the Supreme Court’s judgment in Avinash Mehrotra v. Union of India (2009), which held that the Right to Education includes the right to a safe school and safe infrastructure.
The Commission observed that the absence of a safe means of transport for children to reach school amounts to a denial of their fundamental right to education with dignity. It has therefore issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, seeking a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
The media report, published on 4 August 2026, stated that a video showing children crossing the exposed check dam pillars had gone viral on social media. Villagers reportedly said that they are unable to accompany their children to a distant school because of their agricultural work. As a result, families reportedly face the difficult choice of either stopping their children’s education or allowing them to take the risky route.
The report also stated that a student missed school and failed her final examinations after she was unable to cross the pillars because of her short height. The District Education Officer has reportedly visited the site and informed the District Collector about the situation. However, no specific timeline for constructing a safe passage across the river has been reported.
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