India's Education Policy: A Tormentor For Students
By: Prof. Neelam Mahajan Singh
(Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay, Justice Tejas Karia)
I write this article, with deep, anguish, sorrow and anger, at the failed Education Policy of India. All that glitters is not gold.
May I say, that in 1990s the quality of education and quality of teachers was far superior than today. After completing my M.A. M. Phil. (History and Political Thought) from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, I was appointed as Lecturer in a South Delhi Campus. Like me, my students were also young. I would turn my students as my friends and teach them in unique ways! Till date I love students, and go out of my way to guide them, if required.
Neelam Mahajan Singh was amongst the Ist batch of young ladies to enter St. Stephen's College, post independence.
I am reminded about the horrifying tragedy of death of children at Rao Study Circle in Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, four years ago. In a flash-rain, the area was flooded and students submerged in water and died. Today the tragedy in Satya Niketan in South-West Delhi, New Delhi on September 07, 2026, has left me shell shocked.
"India’s Education Policy is 'subjective, discriminatory, castist and death knell for students," Neelam Mahajan Singh.
The recent 'paper leakage of NEET examination' was repetitive and preposterous, leading to suicide of students pan India.
I'm a journalist since 35 years. Yet, a journalist is also a teacher, dissiminitating information on social, economic and political arena, to the readers. The utter anguish and uncertainty of the examination system, doesn't bring out the best in the students. I have studied the Education System of India intensively. When Arjun Singh was Human Resources Development Minister, I was a part of the Advisory Board on Educational Reforms.
Ofcourse the worst period of politicisation of education policy was when an ex actress of a popular TV serial buggered the education system. Ofcourse she was uneducated herself and had no clue of educational issues. She had no degrees to show!
Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, an 'absentee professor of Allahabad University' attempted to deface the education policy by saffronisation and politicisation of education.
History dumped him as an uncouth and fake politician. So what do we do?
Our children are ruderless. Not every student can be expected to be a top scholar. Thus Kapil Sibal's stress on 'reducing the weight of school bag' was a novel idea.
As HRD minister, veteran advocate and Rajya Sabha MP, Kapil Sibal was a reformist. After the students died at Rao Study Circle, the balloon of Municipal Corporation of Delhi burst; as one of the most corrupt and inefficient organization. Most cities have corrupt municipalities. Now the tragedy of Satya Niketan, compelled Delhi High Court to express deep concern over the safety of students living in Paying Guest houses in the capital.
The Delhi High Court directed Municipal Corporation of Delhi to inspect all PG hostels under its jurisdiction within a week, and take strictest action on them, for violation of municipal laws. On a Sunday afternoon, when our children between the age of 17 years to 22 years were resting in their rooms, the rotten building collapsed like a house of cards and leaving several dead and others grievously injured. The TV channels were Breaking News 24×7. People like myself prayed for the parents of the dead and for liberation of their souls. Tears kept rolling and depression seeped in. Should the students leave their cities and rush to 'Delhi’s Education Bazar' where lakhs of rupees have to be spent to get a bare bachelor's or post graduation degree?
A total of 12 people have been rescued from the debris of the five-storey building collapse in Satya Niketan, with the death toll reaching 10, Delhi Police said in its latest update. The Delhi High Court on September 7, 2026 expressed deep concern over the safety of students living in paying guest (PG) accommodations in the Capital and directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to inspect all PG hostels under its jurisdiction within a week following the collapse of a building that housed students of Delhi University-affiliated colleges.
Most of Delhites have turned their homes into PGs without paying commercial taxes. These colonies include, Rajinder Nagar, Patel Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Kamla Nagar, etc. The owners of collapsed building, Hariram Gupta, 81 years, his wife Urmila Gupta, 75 years, and his son, Mahesh Gupta, 52 years are arrested. They will be in jail for a few months, and then they will be out on bail. Hariram is a retired Sergeant from the Indian Air Force. Mahesh Gupta is running a hardware shop in Gurugram. Rahul Gandhi, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha has accused the BJP government of evading accountability for the Satya Niketan building collapse and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi uses insulting labels like “dimagi Naxal” and “naraaz phoopha” against those who ask questions?
Why is Narendra Modi government helplessness, when Delhi has a “triple-engine” government? There Is no accountability or alternative. Supporters of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi often cite the “TINA” factor — There Is No Alternative — to argue that Mr. Modi is the only capable and indispensable leader for India. Delhi Universit's Vice-Chancellor Dr. Yogesh Singh asked college principals to review residential facilities for students and expedite ongoing hostel projects following the collapse of a multi-storey paying guest (PG) accommodation.
The Delhi High Court, in bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked authorities to double up the efforts in the rescue operations to save human lives, which is closed now. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, represented the Centre, the Delhi government, the Delhi Police and the MCD in the matter, assured the court that all possible steps are being taken to rescue those trapped under the debris.
Aam Aadmi Party said today that several BJP leaders own properties in the area, which explains the lack action against the violators of law. AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that several BJP leaders own PG properties, which explains the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD’s) inaction in the area. Chief Minister of Delhi Rekha Gupta, has declared that all 5 five storied buildings in Delhi will be sealed Immediately. Social media has exposed that several BJP leaders own properties as PG; and the MCD is not acting. Delhi plans new 'PG Safety Policy -1993'. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta today said her government is drafting a policy under which the owners of old buildings will have to submit structural audit reports and certify their safety before they can be used to accommodate paying guests or as nursing homes, schools and other commercial establishments. But records show fresh schemes, surveys, committees and proposals for registration and licensing are Nil. Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose today attacked the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Delhi over the Satya Niketan building tragedy, alleging a “total collapse” of everyday governance in the national capital. “Deadly fires, overflowing streets, everyday heinous crimes against women. And now, the shocking collapse of a college hostel building, tragically claiming the lives of young students and leaving others critically injured,” she said. Congress alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “PR balloon” had been deflated and termed the “four engine government” in Delhi a killing machine, claiming the lives of students.
In retrospect, the author demnds Rs.₹2/- crore compensation be given to the family of those who have lost their lives and Rs.50Lakhs to the injured. Key MCD officials of the South Zone, including Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, Senior Engineer Ranvir Singh, Executive Engineer (Building) Lalit Kumar Goel, and Assistant Engineer (Building) Sunil Chauhan, have been placed under suspension following the building collapse incident in Satya Niketan. The office order was issued by MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar on Monday.
Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi
The Delhi High Court on September 7 agreed to hear a fresh public interest litigation (PIL) in connection with the building collapse in South West Delhi’s Satya Niketan.
MCD orders demolition of 'ruinous' building in Satya Niketan
The MCD has given the owner of a building in southwest Delhi’s Satya Niketan three days to demolish the structure after it was found to be in a “ruinous and dangerous condition”, following the deaths caused by the building collapse. The Notice was issued under Section 348 read with Section 491 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, by the Executive Engineer (Building)-I of the MCD’s South Zone. In the order, the MCD stated, “It would demolish the building if the owner or occupier failed to do so within three days of receiving the order and recover the cost from the owner as arrears of tax.” Satya Niketan building collapse exposes a student hub grappling with housing crisis. Of the seven colleges around the South Campus, Shri Venkateswara College, Jesus and Mary College, Maitri College, ARSD College, Ram Lal Anand College, Motilal Nehru College and Aryabhatta College, only two have hostel facilities. Shri Venkateswara College has around 175 hostel seats, while Maitri College has just 27, leaving many students to rely on private paying guest accommodations in the neighbourhood. Most of the colony’s original residents have moved away, giving way to 'matchbox-sized apartments converted into PG accommodations', not complying with civic regulations. In the aftermath of the building collapse, civic authorities removed PG signboards across the neighbourhood as part of an enforcement drive.
I demand that the Delhi Government should have an intensive audit of PGs in Delhi, through Zonal Commissioners and Magistrates. Delhi Police should make a security plan for these PG s. Emergency Exit, Fire alarm and safety regulations should be monitored by Delhi Fire License. A minimum area of 10/10 feet, with bathroom and pantry should be mandatory for each student. Further the 'Tiffin and food supply mafia' should be regulated. No property owner should be allowed to charge more than Rs.8000/- per bed. The security deposit should be returned by property owners immediately. Fire extinguisher should be provided in every room, along with ventilation. Basements should not be allowed for human habitation. A licence for running a PG should be obtained.
Justice Manmohan, Supreme Court judge had personally monitored the Rao Study Circle Tragedy case, till everything was executed (Justice Manmohan was Chief Justice of Delhi High Court). Now Justice Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia should, personally monitor Delhi Government’s Policy, on a time bound basis. Oh my children (students) what should I do to empower you? These students are the future of our nation. PM Narendra Modi, I appeal to you to make stringent Education Policy laws ensuring mental, physical and financial security of our beloved students.
Prof. Neelam Mahajan Singh
(Sr. Journalist, Author, Doordarshan News Personality, Solicitor for Human Rights Protection, Educationist and Philanthropist)
singhnofficial@gmail.com
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