The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has delivered a sharp reprimand to the state government, currently led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, over its failure to provide a timely legal response concerning an unoccupied, newly constructed school building in Mandi district. Despite the complete readiness of the new facility for the Senior Secondary School located in Deori, within the Padhar area of the Drang constituency, local students are still waiting for permission to move into the premises. The judicial intervention comes after the state administration failed to respect a previously set deadline to explain the persistent delays, raising serious questions about the administration's priorities regarding educational infrastructure and student welfare.
A School Washed Away: Rebuilding After the Flash Floods
The necessity for this new structure stems from a severe natural disaster that struck the region in the recent past. The original building of the Senior Secondary School was entirely washed away during devastating flash floods, leaving the local children without a proper place to study. In the aftermath of the catastrophic floods, prominent political figure Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the devastated site to inspect the extensive damage firsthand. Recognizing the urgent need to restore educational normalcy, she publicly announced that a new school building would be constructed to replace the lost infrastructure. Following through on that high-profile commitment, a modern and secure new facility was erected at a substantial financial cost of approximately 4.75 crore rupees. The building now stands fully complete, equipped to offer a much safer and vastly improved academic environment.
Political Optics Delay a Crucial Inauguration
Despite the massive investment and the urgent need of the students, the gates of the new school remain closed due to what appears to be a fierce political tug-of-war over the credit for its construction. The controversy reached a boiling point recently when Himachal Pradesh's Education Minister, Rohit Thakur, traveled to the school with the intention of officially inaugurating the new structure. However, in a surprising turn of events, the inauguration ceremony was abruptly halted right in the middle of the program. This sudden disruption transformed a simple administrative event into a major state-level issue. The primary reason behind this chaotic halt and the ongoing delay is widely understood to be the Sukhu government's strong desire to have Priyanka Gandhi officially inaugurate the building herself, acknowledging her initial role in promising its construction after the floods.
High Court Condemns the Government's Silence
Frustrated by the sight of a locked, fully finished school building while children continued to suffer, local residents escalated the matter to the judiciary. The Himachal Pradesh High Court took up the case and treated it with the utmost seriousness. The court had initially instructed the state government to explain its stance and provide a valid reason for not shifting the students by July 22. When the designated date arrived and the government failed to submit any formal reply within the stipulated timeframe, the court expressed severe displeasure. During the subsequent hearing, the bench strongly reprimanded the state authorities, pointing out their lack of accountability. The court explicitly noted that this legal dispute is not merely about an empty concrete building, but is fundamentally tied to the core rights of the region's children—specifically their right to continuous education, their physical safety, and their future prospects.
August 5 Deadline: Community Waits for Justice
Taking a strict stance against further governmental apathy, the High Court has now issued a fresh, non-negotiable deadline. The state government has been directed to present a comprehensive and clear explanation to the court by August 5, detailing the exact reasons preventing the transfer of students into the new block. Meanwhile, the parents and local citizens of the Drang area are anxiously waiting for a resolution. They have been continuously demanding that the school be made operational without any more unnecessary political hurdles. The legal battle for the community is being spearheaded by Advocate Udaynand Sharma, who hails from the same region, supported by a dedicated team of other legal professionals. The local population remains highly hopeful that the state administration will finally honor the High Court's firm directives, set aside political considerations, and immediately commence the process of shifting the students into their rightful classrooms.
