Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Curb bandhs: SHRC tells police chief

HYDERABAD: Chairperson of the State Human Rights Commission B. Subhashan Reddy has directed the City Police Commissioner not to permit bandhs by any political party or organisation which cause disturbance to normal functioning of schools.

He has also asked the Principal Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh, School Education to see that bandhs are not organised disrupting the studies and curricula of school students. He has asked the Director of School Education to ensure that the order is strictly complied with.

The Commission issued recently the order following a petition by Hyderabad District Recognised Schools’ Association. The office-bearers and the members, including parents, complained of the disturbance caused to the student community and teachers in view of the frequent bandhs.

The order said that bandhs could not disrupt or interrupt the student community. “Education is the fundamental right and in turn is a human right, and, according to this Commission, after human right to health, the second comes the right to education. In fact, the Constitution recognised this as a fundamental right, and particularly for the student-community between 6 and 14 years, and what is more, the same has been incorporated as Article 21-A by Constitutional Amendment in the year 2002”.

The Commission has asked the Principal Secretary, School Education, Director School Education and City Police Commissioner to file their compliance reports by July 21.

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