Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Karnataka Orders Probe After Students Study in Cattle Shed
The Karnataka government is investigating a residential school where students have been staying in a cattle shed.
There are 172 students, including boys and girls from Classes 6 to 10.
Reports say they have lived, eaten and studied there for about five years.
Videos showed students sitting on the floor during lessons.
The shed reportedly has too few toilets and poor ventilation and lighting.
Officials had said a new school building was being built.
Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said the situation was wrong.
Opposition leader R Ashoka said the students should be moved to a proper facility and called for an investigation into the spending.
An official inquiry was ordered into conditions at Dr B R Ambedkar Residential School in Shantigrama, Hassan.
The school’s 172 students—92 boys and 80 girls from Classes 6 to 10—were reportedly living, eating and studying in a cattle shed.
Reports said the arrangement had continued for five years while authorities claimed a new school building was being constructed.
The shed reportedly has inadequate toilets, ventilation and natural light, with students attending classes while sitting on the floor.
Minister Madhu Bangarappa called the arrangement inappropriate, while opposition leader R Ashoka demanded immediate relocation and an expenditure investigation.
- Who
- The 172 students of Dr B R Ambedkar Residential School, Karnataka officials, Minister Madhu Bangarappa and opposition leader R Ashoka.
- What
- The Karnataka government ordered an inquiry into students living, eating and studying in a cattle shed.
- When
- The reports said the arrangement had continued for five years; the inquiry was ordered after videos and media reports caused outrage.
- Where
- Dr B R Ambedkar Residential School in Shantigrama, Hassan, Karnataka.
- Why
- The government acted after reports highlighted inadequate facilities and students attending classes in the shed.
Government and school authorities
Opposition critics
Temporary accommodation
Government and school authorities
Minister Madhu Bangarappa said temporary arrangements can be made when a new building is sanctioned, but agreed that studying in a shed was inappropriate.
Opposition critics
R Ashoka questioned why students from poor and disadvantaged communities lacked basic facilities and demanded an investigation into the arrangement and spending.
Immediate action
Government and school authorities
The Karnataka government ordered an official inquiry, while the minister said he would seek details and discuss the issue.
Opposition critics
R Ashoka demanded that students be shifted to a properly equipped facility and warned that the BJP would launch an agitation if immediate action was not taken.
- Students affected
- 172 students: 92 boys and 80 girls
- Classes
- Classes 6 to 10
- Reported duration
- Five years
- Reported facilities
- Inadequate toilets, ventilation and natural light
- School department
- Social Welfare Department
- Reported rent
- Some reports claimed the government paid Rs 1.8 lakh per month to the shed owner
- Government response
- An official inquiry was ordered, and Minister Madhu Bangarappa sought a detailed report