Lucknow : Taking a stand against the Uttar Pradesh government’s controversial move to shut down government primary schools, AAP MP Sanjay Singh launched a state-wide ‘Save Schools’ campaign with the resounding slogan “Madhushala Nahin, Pathshala Chahiye” (We want schools, not liquor stores).
The campaign was kickstarted by AAP’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh from a government primary school in Mirganj Khas, Jaunpur. The event marked the beginning of a coordinated protest across all districts of the state, aimed at drawing attention to the closure of public schools and its long-term impact on children’s education.
Statewide Movement Gains Ground
According to party spokesperson Sarvesh Mishra, the campaign saw active participation from hundreds of AAP leaders, office bearers, and volunteers across districts including Firozabad, Bhadohi, Hardoi, Meerut, Lalitpur, Ghaziabad, Etah, Barabanki, Noida, Jhansi, and Lucknow. At each location, teams visited villages where government primary schools have recently been shut due to the state government’s consolidation policy.
Voices from the Ground
In Palpur village of Bakshi Ka Talab constituency, Lucknow, the campaign was led by AAP’s Ayodhya region president Vinay Patel. He visited the now-defunct PS Palpur school, closed following a merger order. Engaging with villagers, Patel highlighted the distress of the local community.
A woman who worked as a cook at the school, earning ₹2,000 per month, lamented that reaching a new, distant school was not feasible. A parent added, “Due to the distance, I can’t send my young children to school anymore.”
Vinay Patel drew a stark contrast in leadership, saying, “One Baba—Dr. B.R. Ambedkar—envisioned an educated India. Another Baba—CM Yogi—is working to dismantle that dream by closing schools.”
He assured families that AAP, under the leadership of Sanjay Singh, would fight tooth and nail to get the decision reversed. “If needed, we will launch a mass agitation to protect the children’s right to education,” he said.
A Fight for the Future
As part of the ‘Save Schools’ campaign, AAP volunteers across villages documented the plight of children and families affected by school closures. The initiative aims to bring the state’s attention back to fundamental rights like access to quality education, especially in rural and underprivileged regions.
“This campaign is not just a protest—it’s a movement to save the future of lakhs of children in Uttar Pradesh,” AAP said in a statement.
Continued Commitment to Public Service
AAP reiterated its dedication to public service, vowing to continue fighting for educational rights through dialogue, community mobilization, and if necessary, organized protest. “We will not rest until every child in Uttar Pradesh has access to a school and a future worth fighting for,” Sanjay Singh declared.
As the campaign gathers momentum, AAP appears set to challenge the state’s educational policies, placing education at the heart of its political agenda in Uttar Pradesh.
