Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Sarafa Girls School To Stay Near Mahakal Temple After Protests
In the city of Ujjain in India, there is a school for girls called the Sarafa Girls School.
The school sits right next to a very famous temple called the Mahakal Temple.
The government wanted to move the school to a place called Daudkhedi, about seven kilometres away.
The move was part of plans for a huge festival called Simhastha that will happen in 2028.
The students were upset because the new place would be far from their homes and could make travel hard and unsafe.
More than 300 girls marched to the district office to protest, and some even fainted while they were there.
Parents also joined in and asked the government to listen to the students before making any decision.
The Chief Minister told officials to talk to all the girls first, so the government decided to cancel the move for now.
The girls can keep going to their old school building until a proper new arrangement is made.
The relocation of Government Sarafa Girls School from near Mahakal Temple has been put on hold, said Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh.
The proposed shift to a site about 7 km away in Daudkhedi was linked to preparations for Simhastha 2028.
Over 300 girls from Classes 9-12 protested at the Ujjain Collectorate; two students fainted and one broke down in tears.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had directed officials to speak to all girl students before taking a decision.
Students will continue studying at the existing building until proper arrangements are made, and two new CM Rise Schools will be set up in Uttam.
- Who
- Students of Government Sarafa Girls School (Classes 9-12), their parents, Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh, and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
- What
- The proposed relocation of Government Sarafa Girls School to Daudkhedi was put on hold after mass student protests
- When
- August 17-18, 2026
- Where
- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Why
- Students and parents objected to the long commute, transport problems and safety concerns for girls; officials cited Simhastha 2028 preparations as the reason for the proposed shift
Students, Parents and School Bachao Samiti
Ujjain Administration (Madhya Pradesh Government)
Relocation of the school
Students, Parents and School Bachao Samiti
Moving the school about 7-10 km away would increase daily travel, create transport difficulties and endanger the safety of girl students; protestors said their futures were being tampered with.
Ujjain Administration (Madhya Pradesh Government)
The shift is needed as part of preparations for Simhastha 2028, and officials promised that students' education would not be affected and proper arrangements would be made.
How to proceed
Students, Parents and School Bachao Samiti
Students want to keep studying at the existing school building until their concerns are fully addressed and a safe alternative is ready.
Ujjain Administration (Madhya Pradesh Government)
Officials, acting on the Chief Minister's direction, will consult the students and establish two new CM Rise Schools in Uttam while the current school remains open.
- School
- Government Sarafa Girls School, near Mahakal Temple, Ujjain
- Proposed new location
- Daudkhedi, about 7 km away (some reports say nearly 10 km to a CM Rise School)
- Reason for proposed shift
- Preparations for Simhastha 2028
- Protesting students
- Over 300 girls from Classes 9-12; one report says over 800 took to the streets
- Key officials
- Ujjain Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh; Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
- Decision
- Relocation put on hold; students remain at the existing building until proper arrangements are made
- New CM Rise Schools
- Two to be established in Uttam