AAP says Delhi govt bill on school fee hike favours private school owners, holds protest
Also read: Delhi govt tables education bill to curb 'arbitrary' fee hikes
The Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025 was tabled on the first day of the Monsoon session of the assembly.
AAP legislators, led by Leader of Opposition Atishi, protested in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue.
Calling the bill a "calculated sham", former Delhi chief minister Atishi accused the BJP-led government of protecting private school interests rather than those of parents.
"This bill is not about transparency. It is about facilitating fee hikes by private schools. The BJP has delayed this bill since April so that schools could increase fees unchecked," she alleged.
Also read: 14 Delhi govt school students selected for vocational training in Germany
Atishi said the bill, brought to the assembly in the ongoing Monsoon session, lacks any provision for a rollback of hiked fees and proposes a fee fixation committee that would be headed by the school management itself.
She demanded that the bill be referred to a select committee for wider consultation and urged the government to freeze school fees at 2024-25 levels until the legislation is finalised.
Also read: How to prepare your child for preschool? Check these 8 tips by UNICEF
"The AAP will continue to fight for the rights of Delhi's parents and children. The BJP will have to listen," she said. The AAP MLAs on Monday walked out of the House proceedings over the bill.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
BJP MP's remark on Gaya airport triggers row
New Delhi A BJP MP's complaint that Gaya International Airport's three-letter code 'GAY' is 'socially and culturally offensive' has sparked backlash from LGBTQ activists who say his remarks reinforce prejudice against the community. BJP MP's remark on Gaya airport triggers row Rajya Sabha member Bhim Singh from Bihar submitted a written query to Parliament questioning why the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code for the Bihar airport remains in use when people find it 'uncomfortable'. He asked whether the government would consider changing it to 'a more respectful and culturally appropriate code' and sought a timeline for any such process. The ministry of civil aviation acknowledged receiving similar requests in the past. Minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol explained that the three-letter codes are assigned by IATA—a trade association representing 300 airlines—to uniquely identify airports worldwide, typically using the first three letters of the location's name. 'Air India had earlier approached IATA seeking change of the existing airport code,' Mohol said. 'However, IATA has conveyed that under the provisions of Resolution 763, assigned three-letter codes are considered permanent and are altered only under exceptional circumstances, usually involving air safety concerns.' The response did not elaborate on when Air India made the request or who were the other entities. LGBTQ activists condemned Singh's characterisation of the code as offensive, arguing it reflects deep-rooted prejudice rather than legitimate cultural concerns. Arvind Narrain, an LGBTQ activist, pointed to the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling that decriminalised same-sex relationships and recognised LGBTQI persons' right to dignity. 'The member's description of us as immoral strips the community of dignity,' he said. 'They need to educate themselves that as per the Supreme Court, what governs is not personal morality but constitutional morality. He should apologise to the community.' Rajesh Srinivas, another LGBTQ activist, dismissed the need for any change. 'The airport code does not require a change as there is nothing culturally inappropriate about it. The discomfort with the term stems from deeply ingrained prejudice.' Shanmathi Senthil Kumar, a counselling psychologist and diversity advocate who has worked in mental health and social sectors, called Singh's framing 'deeply concerning'. 'That the term 'GAY' is being labelled as offensive, culturally inappropriate, or even unsafe reflects how deeply rooted the stigma against LGBTQIA+ people still is,' Kumar said. 'Such framing reinforces harmful stereotypes and makes society even more difficult and exclusionary for queer individuals. This highlights the urgent need to centre and prioritise LGBTQIA+ voices in public discourse, so that narratives rooted in prejudice are not allowed to define what is deemed acceptable.' 'If we look at how the queer community is perceived in India, we still have a long way to go. There is a lack of awareness, and that fact should not be ignored. If a word is considered offensive, simply avoiding it doesn't help. One way forward is to confront and address it, rather than shy away from it. The question raised is also aiming in that direction—if someone like an MP can endorse inclusion rather than avoid the issue, it becomes all the more meaningful,' psychotherapist Vidya Dinakaran said.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
NSA Ajit Doval in Russia amid Trump tariff threat: Key talks with Kremlin; will oil be on agenda?
Ajit Doval (File photo) NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reached Moscow on Tuesday to hold talks on strategic partnership, defence, and security cooperation between India and Russia, Russian news agency TASS reported. His visit comes as the Trump-led US administration continues to issue trade threats to countries closely aligned with Russia, including India. This is a scheduled visit with discussions focused on defence cooperation between the two nations. "The current escalation of the geopolitical situation will also be discussed. Apart from that the topics will include such pressing matters as supplies of Russian oil [to India]," the source told TASS. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on India as a 'penalty.' He also said India and Russia could 'take their dead economies down together,' prompting India to reiterate that it remains the world's fastest-growing major economy. Trump further stated that India has "always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia," and is "Russia's largest buyer of energy, along with China." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Flexible MBA by SRM—Apply Now! SRM Online Apply Now Undo On Monday, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) described criticism from the US and EU over India's imports of Russian oil as 'unjustified,' pointing out that Western countries had previously supported such trade to stabilise global energy markets and still continue purchasing goods and services from Russia. 'India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,' the MEA said, noting that the US and EU have continued trade with Russia, including in energy and key commodities, despite publicly opposing the Ukraine conflict. The MEA also pointed to 'double standards,' highlighting that EU trade with Russia in 2024 was significantly higher than India's.
News18
39 minutes ago
- News18
Former BJP Spokesperson Appointed Bombay HC Judge; Oppn Slams Move: 'Blow To Democracy'
Arati Sathe's appointment drew criticism from Opposition, who have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the need to preserve impartiality of the judiciary The appointment of Advocate Arati Sathe as a judge of the Bombay High Court stirred political controversy in Maharashtra, following revelations that she had previously served as the official spokesperson for the Maharashtra unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Supreme Court Collegium, in its meeting held on July 28, approved the elevation of Ajit Bhagwantrao Kadehankar, Arati Arun Sathe, and Sushil Manohar Ghodeswar as judges of the Bombay High Court. Sathe's appointment drew criticism from Opposition leaders, who have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the need to preserve the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader and MLA Rohit Pawar voiced strong objections, sharing a screenshot of a letter issued on Maharashtra BJP letterhead naming Sathe as the party's spokesperson — a post she herself had acknowledged on social media. Pawar described the appointment as a serious threat to democratic principles. 'The appointment of a person who advocates for the ruling party from a public platform as a judge is the greatest blow to democracy," he said. 'Such appointments will have far-reaching consequences on the impartiality of the Indian judicial system." He further cited concerns about the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers. 'Doesn't the appointment of a political spokesperson as a judge undermine the principle of separation of powers and, by extension, constitute an attempt to subvert the Constitution?" he asked. Highlighting the broader implications, Pawar stated: 'When a person appointed as a judge in a High Court has a political background and has held a position in the ruling party, who can guarantee that the process of delivering justice will not be tainted by political bias? Doesn't the appointment of a single political figure raise questions about the entire process of justice delivery?" While clarifying that he had no objection to Sathe's legal qualifications, Pawar said the issue lies in public perception and trust in judicial impartiality. 'The appointment of such a person strikes at the sentiment of ordinary citizens that 'justice is delivered without any bias,'" he added, urging the government to reconsider the decision. 'The Honorable Chief Justice should also provide guidance on this matter." BJP Counters Responding to the controversy, Maharashtra BJP media cell in-charge Navnath Bang confirmed that Sathe had been a spokesperson for the party. However, he emphasised that she had resigned from the role prior to her judicial appointment. Further, Maharashtra BJP's chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye asked the Congress and Rohit Pawar to answer a few questions. 'Justice Baharul Islam was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 1962 as a Congress candidate. He was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1968. During this time, he also contested the Assam Legislative Assembly elections but was defeated." 'In 1972, he resigned from the Rajya Sabha and was appointed as a judge of the Gauhati High Court. In March 1980, he retired from the judiciary and re-entered politics," Upadhye said in a clear swipe at the Congress. 'After his retirement, Indira Gandhi's government appointed him as a judge of the Supreme Court in December 1980. In 1983, after he acquitted the then Chief Minister of Bihar, Jagannath Mishra, in a corruption case and faced criticism for it; he resigned from the post of judge. Subsequently, in the same year (1983), the Congress party appointed him again to the Rajya Sabha," he added. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : BJP Bombay HC maharashtra view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 08:56 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
