Supreme Court declines to hear petition against school entry restrictions

The Supreme Court of India has declined to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging restrictions placed on outsiders, journalists, YouTubers, and social media users entering government schools in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

The petition, filed by Priya Mishra, contested orders issued by education departments in Rajasthan and several districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Ayodhya, Azamgarh, and Agra. These orders mandate prior written permission from school principals for entry, photography, videography, interviews, or live streaming within school premises.

The petitioner argued that such restrictions infringe upon fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression, potentially hindering the ability to report on the ground realities of school infrastructure and facilities. However, the court, led by a bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe, stated it was not inclined to consider the petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. Consequently, the existing departmental guidelines regarding school security and student privacy remain in effect.