Students from the Swami Atmanand Excellent School in Selud, located in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh, took to the streets to protest against the persistent lack of basic amenities at their educational institution. More than 200 children have been suffering due to the absence of essential infrastructure for nearly two years. On Wednesday, the frustrated students assembled on the Durg Patan main road and organized a complete traffic blockade that lasted for about one hour, drawing immediate attention to their grievances.
Severe Lack of Toilets Forces Open Defecation
The protesting school children highlighted that despite repeated requests over the past two years, clean sanitation facilities have not been constructed on their campus. The lack of toilets poses a severe challenge, particularly for female students, who are forced to walk long distances into surrounding bushes and shrubs to relieve themselves. Furthermore, the absence of a proper boundary wall leaves the school grounds exposed and insecure. Demonstrating with placards, the students voiced their pain over being neglected. A student shared that the absence of functional toilets creates daily hardships for all 200 enrolled pupils.
Police Intervention and Traffic Concerns
Upon receiving news of the road blockade, local police officials arrived at the scene to manage the situation and converse with the young protesters. Officers explained to the students that blocking a major thoroughfare creates critical delays for emergency services. They pointed out that ambulances carrying sick or injured individuals could get trapped in the gridlock, potentially endangering human lives. While police urged the children to clear the road safely, the students remained firm in demanding an immediate resolution from the administration.
Political Controversy Erupts Over Administration
The student agitation quickly sparked a political controversy across Chhattisgarh. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel posted a video of the protest on the social media platform X, criticizing the current state administration. He emphasized that the incident occurred in Durg, the home district of Education Minister Gajendra Yadav, where young students are compelled to block traffic for basic toilet facilities. In his post dated August 25, 2026, Baghel questioned the government governance claims, urging officials to fix the infrastructure shortcomings at the Selud school without delay.
