Volunteers of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) have been restricted from entering Mumbai’s municipal schools without prior permission as the organisation conducts its nationwide ‘School Thik Karo’ campaign. The initiative aims to inspect civic and government schools, identify gaps in basic facilities and conduct social audits.
CJP activists inspected a Mumbai Public School in Colaba on Wednesday and attempted to visit Nadkarni Park Municipal School in Wadala on Thursday. Senior members were denied entry as permission had not been obtained. The matter was discussed during a meeting between CJP representatives and civic education officer Kirtivardhan Kiritkudve on Friday. CJP state coordinator Pranay Ahire said citizens should be able to question the condition of public schools. He said the campaign was not intended to interfere with government work but to identify issues involving water, toilets, teaching and other basic facilities. The organisation has linked its campaign to Article 21A of the Constitution and the Right to Education Act, maintaining that the initiative is being conducted to improve conditions for students.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked CJP to submit a collective proposal covering all organisations participating in the campaign, including the All India Students’ Federation (AISF). A senior civic official said a decision would be taken after the proposal was received. CJP said it had agreed to submit the proposal and had sought a response within 48 hours.
AISF also faced restrictions during a visit to Mumbai Public School in the Parel Poibawdi Municipal School building on Friday. The delegation sought a meeting with the principal but was reportedly denied entry. AISF Mumbai president Aamir Kazi said the delegation was turned away despite approaching the gatekeeper and principal. The members subsequently remained outside the school and requested a meeting, following which police were called by the school administration. AISF said it would approach the concerned assistant commissioner to seek permission for a public social audit and request a formal mechanism through which students and citizens could raise concerns about municipal schools.
The BMC has maintained that unauthorised entry could affect student safety and disrupt regular school activities. Concerns have also been raised about privacy. Teacher-activist Bhausaheb Chaskar said students and teachers should be protected from unauthorised photographs, videos and statements, particularly where parental consent has not been obtained.
It was also stressed that teachers and headmasters should not be humiliated in front of students during such campaigns. The dispute is now centred on creating a process that allows public scrutiny of municipal schools while protecting student safety, privacy and regular school functioning.