Delhi govt bans school admissions for Bangladeshi children
New Delhi: The Delhi government has issued a contentious directive barring children of Bangladeshi immigrants from enrolling in government and private schools.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the order, released by the Directorate of Education, mandates strict document verification processes and directs schools to report any suspicions about students’ citizenship to the police or relevant authorities.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Singh defended the move as a measure to safeguard the rights of Delhi’s residents.
The policy has drawn condemnation from activists and legal experts who argue it violates fundamental rights, particularly the right to education guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. Human rights lawyer Zafarullah Khan called the directive “a humanitarian issue,” emphasizing that children’s rights should not be contingent upon their parents’ legal status.
Educationist Asad Raza warned of potential misuse of the verification process, saying it could lead to harassment of minorities and genuine residents.
“Denying education perpetuates poverty and alienation,” said Raza.
