Tragedy in Rajasthan: School Roof Collapse in Jhalawar Kills 7 Children; Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Slam Government Over Negligence

New Delhi/Jhalawar, July 26: A horrific tragedy struck Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district on Friday morning as the roof of the government-run Piplodi Primary School collapsed, killing at least seven students and injuring several others. The incident has sparked a nationwide outcry and calls for accountability, with senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge launching scathing attacks on the BJP-led government over alleged negligence and infrastructural failure.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, termed the incident "extremely tragic and concerning" and demanded a fair and transparent investigation. “The collapse of a government school roof in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, resulting in the death of several innocent children and injuries to many others, is extremely tragic and concerning,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Citing media reports, Gandhi alleged that the state administration ignored repeated complaints about the deteriorating condition of school buildings. “Most of these children were from the Bahujan community—do their lives hold no value for the BJP government? A fair investigation must be conducted, and the guilty should be given the strictest punishment,” he added.

Additional District Magistrate Abhishek Charan confirmed the casualties and said emergency services were deployed immediately to rescue survivors and tend to the injured. The exact cause of the collapse is under investigation, but early reports suggest prolonged neglect and poor maintenance of school infrastructure.

Local residents staged protests following the incident, demanding accountability and justice for the victims. Protesters alleged that multiple complaints about the building’s unsafe condition had been submitted to local authorities, but no action was taken.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the incident, calling it “extremely painful and shameful.” In a post on X, Kharge said, “A government that cannot even repair the roofs of schools—our children’s future—despite complaints, boasts of grand dreams of a 'developed India'.”

Kharge further criticised the BJP over what he described as widespread infrastructure failures across the country. “From collapsing school roofs to crumbling bridges and flooded classrooms, the reality of this so-called ‘development’ is devastating. The BJP’s hunger for power has come at the cost of public safety and dignity.”

He also drew attention to similar incidents elsewhere in the country. “In Delhi, MCD school classrooms were flooded, and in Jodhpur, children are being forced to study under a neem tree due to a dangerous building. This is the state of our education infrastructure,” Kharge added.

As the investigation proceeds, political heat is expected to rise over the issue of infrastructure safety and government accountability in public institutions—particularly schools catering to underprivileged communities.

The families of the deceased children are now left to mourn an unimaginable loss. Meanwhile, the nation watches closely, awaiting answers and justice.