This refers to P. Sainath's article “‘Never let school interfere with your education'” (July 19). Posco has been in the news and it was clear that the project affected the lives of farmers in Orissa. But this is perhaps the first time that a newspaper has highlighted another aspect of the forced land acquisition — the adverse effect on school-going children.
The photograph accompanying the article speaks volumes. The school's poor infrastructure is evident. The police shields in the background point to the apathy of the State government. It is ironical that the State, which has done virtually nothing to ensure that children enjoy their right to education, is blaming them for taking part in the protests against the forced land acquisition.
Ritvik Chaturvedi,
New Delhi
It is unfortunate that whenever police arrive for duty to an area for maintaining law and order, ensuring smooth conduct of elections or providing bandobast at local festivals, they are accommodated in municipal and panchayat schools. Can they not be stationed in marriage halls or community centres instead? This way, students studying in public schools will not suffer.
S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli
Children in the Posco project area are being denied their right to education. If in such a stage of their lives, they experience suppression, how can they ever stand by what they believe in? It is ironical that the Posco project, which is supposed to be good for Orissa's development, is hindering growth.
Shubh Agarwal,
New Delhi
Schools are temples of learning. It is ridiculous for the police to occupy them for their convenience. Why not station the forces in government offices? What is happening in Orissa is an example of the low priority that education is accorded by governments.
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