3 weeks ago
Gen Alpha Students Protest For Road To School In Hamirpur
Some school kids in Hamirpur district, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, wanted a proper road to their school.
Right now the only path is a muddy dirt track, and during the rainy season it gets flooded with water.
The children have to walk through muddy water, which ruins their uniforms and shoes, and one girl said she had to drop out of school because of the difficult trip.
So the students, joined by their parents and village elders, marched about five kilometres to the district office carrying posters and the national flag.
They demanded a road from their village of Chandupur to Hamirpur, saying none has been built since India became independent nearly 80 years ago.
Officials talked to the children and their parents and promised that construction would begin as soon as possible.
After that promise, the students ended their protest and went home.
Many adults, including leaders from political parties, praised the children, though one official said adults were using them to press their demand.
Gen Alpha students from Chandupur, Gangwa Ka Dera and Bachchi Ka Dera in Hamirpur marched nearly five kilometres to the district collectorate demanding a road to their school.
Protesters say no road has been built to their village since independence, and the earthen track submerges during the monsoon, forcing students through muddy water and causing dropouts.
District Magistrate Abhishek Goyal said the proposed road would reduce the school commute by 9 km, an NOC has been received, and approval is expected by October or November.
SDM Abhishek Kumar and the circle officer held talks, and the sit-in was called off after assurance that road construction would begin at the earliest.
Samajwadi Party (led by Akhilesh Yadav), Bhim Army MP Chandrashekhar Azad and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke backed the students, while DM Abhishek Goyal claimed most protesters were adults using children.
- Who
- Gen Alpha school students from Chandupur, Gangwa Ka Dera and Bachchi Ka Dera villages, joined by their parents and village elders; District Magistrate Abhishek Goyal, SDM Abhishek Kumar and the circle officer responded.
- What
- A 'Tiranga Yatra' and sit-in at the district collectorate demanding construction of a road connecting the village to the school and Hamirpur.
- Where
- Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- When
- Tuesday (one report says Wednesday).
- Why
- No paved road has been built to the village since independence; the earthen track submerges in the monsoon, forcing students to walk through muddy water to school and leading to dropouts.
Protesters and their supporters
District administration
Delay in road construction
Protesters and their supporters
Students and villagers say they have demanded the road multiple times over the years but were repeatedly given 'false reassurances' that work would begin in a week or two, with nothing moving.
District administration
District Magistrate Abhishek Goyal said the processes 'take time' - the NOC has already been received, the proposal has been sent, and approval is expected by October or November, after which work can begin.
Who is behind the protest
Protesters and their supporters
Students and political supporters such as the Samajwadi Party, Bhim Army MP Chandrashekhar Azad and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke say the children are genuinely fighting for their future after years of ignored pleas.
District administration
DM Abhishek Goyal claimed most of the protesters are adults who are using the kids to push their demand.
Key facts
- Location
- Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Villages involved
- Chandupur, Gangwa Ka Dera, Bachchi Ka Dera, Mangla Ka Dera
- Demand
- Construction of a road from Chandupur to Hamirpur connecting the school
- Protest
- 'Tiranga Yatra' and sit-in at the district collectorate
- Distance marched
- Nearly five kilometres
- Officials involved
- DM Abhishek Goyal; SDM Abhishek Kumar and the circle officer
- Project status
- NOC received; approval expected by October or November
- Outcome
- Protest called off after assurance that construction would begin at the earliest
Quotes
Samajwadi Party spokesperson (official handle)
Samajwadi Party official on X
“Salute to these kids who are fighting for their future! All they are asking for is a road to their school. Is that too much to ask after nearly 80 years of Independence? This should have been done decades ago.”
NDTV
“"When the Chief Minister turns a blind eye, when the ruling party becomes corrupt, then the innocent ones themselves have to take to the streets."”
theprint.in
Woman protester (video)
Local woman speaking in a video
“Our school uniform gets soiled, and our shoes are ruined in the muddy water.”
NDTV
“"Road ke wajah se humari padhai chor di hai."”
theprint.in
Sources
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