Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam criticizes the state’s move to build a new school on the only playground for 3,000 students at Akhriganj High School, proposing a compromise to preserve the land for student recreation.
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Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam of the Calcutta High Court has objected to the state administration’s proposal to build a new school on the donated land at Akhriganj High School in Bhagbangola 2 Block of Murshidabad. The only playground for 3,000 children may be in trouble as a result of this disagreeable decision, which has caused significant debate about possible impacts on the students playground.
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The Chief Justice, presiding over a Division Bench alongside Justice Supratim Bhattacharya, did not mince words when addressing the state’s intentions, emphasizing the importance of not undermining the educational and recreational needs of students.
“Don’t say I am all powerful. I can do whatever I want,”
–he remarked, highlighting the arrogance perceived in the government’s approach to repurposing the playground land.
The legal contention arose from the state’s proposal to erect another educational institution on the premises of the only playground available to the 3,000 students of Akhriganj High School. This playground, a gift from a benevolent donor, is now at risk of being lost to the school community. The state’s defense, claiming ownership of the land and the prerogative to decide its use, was met with skepticism and concern from the bench.
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Chief Justice Sivagnanam’s retort to the state’s policy decision was laced with irony and frustration.
“Build a new one in another’s place! Do whatever you like. Demolish the school. People don’t have to be educated anymore. Why educate people?”
he stated, questioning the state’s disregard for the educational implications of their plan. The state’s attempt to justify the separation of the school from its playground by a distance of 1.5 km did little to assuage the court’s apprehensions.
The Chief Justice pointed out the commonality of schools operating without adjacent playgrounds due to spatial constraints, yet he underscored the government’s contradictory stance of both running and opposing the school.
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In a constructive suggestion aimed at resolving the impasse, the Chief Justice proposed a compromise that would allow for the coexistence of both educational facilities while preserving the playground.
“Let there be two schools. Leave an acre of land for the playground for the two schools. Let us know what to do? Otherwise, I will give a moratorium on the construction,”
– he declared,
Offering a solution that underscores the necessity of balancing educational development with the recreational needs of students.
The Calcutta High Court is having a disagreement about a school playground. The government wants to use it for something else. This shows that the government should look after all parts of students’ development, not just school. The court is making sure students’ rights are safe, saying that places for them to play are important.
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