The recent incident in Karnataka, where two students from Meghalaya lost their lives due to alleged food poisoning at the Gokul Educational Institution, has raised several concerns.
While the Karnataka government has taken action against the school authorities, arresting the owner and warden, and shutting down the school, the onus is now on Meghalaya to ensure accountability for those responsible for sending the children far away from home.
At the center of this controversy is the Lei Synshar Cultural Society (LSCS), allegedly backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has been sending children from poor backgrounds in Meghalaya to Karnataka for free education.
Most of these children are adherents of indigenous faiths, and staying far away from home, they are vulnerable to indoctrination into the ideology of the Sangh Parivar.
The LSCS, having taken on the responsibility of providing free education to these poor children, ought to have ensured their safety and well-being. It is alarming that more than 100 students from Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and Ri-Bhoi district are studying outside the state with the help of LSCS, highlighting the scale of this issue.
This incident also brings to light the harsh reality that parents in remote villages of Meghalaya are forced to send their children thousands of kilometers away due to the lack of proper schools in their areas.
This vulnerability is exploited by various groups with vested interests, who further their own agendas under the guise of providing education.
It is imperative that the government and society take a vigilant stance to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Meghalaya government must take immediate action to investigate the role of LSCS.
By probing the organization’s involvement in sending children to Karnataka and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing.
Regulate organizations operating in the state by establishing clear guidelines and monitoring mechanisms to prevent exploitation of vulnerable children and families.
Improve education infrastructure by focusing on developing quality schools in remote areas to prevent parents from sending their children far away from home.
Support affected families by providing them assistance and counseling to those who have lost their children or have children affected by this incident.
Ultimately, it is our collective responsibility to ensure the safety, well-being, and education of our children. We must work together to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
