A CM’s Assurance and a School’s Denial: Pankhuri Tripathi’s Story
During the Janata Durbar on July 1, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath responded to a young girl’s appeal with a promise that inspired many. He told Pankhuri Tripathi, a Class 7 student facing financial hardship, that she wouldn’t face barriers to her education. He said, “Either your fees will be waived, or we will arrange the amount.”
However, when Pankhuri returned to school with renewed hope, she encountered an unexpected hurdle. The school, run by RSS’s education wing Vidya Bharati, rejected the CM’s assurance. They told her that they had no such provision for fee waivers, sparking public outrage and political reactions.
The Struggle Behind the Plea
Pankhuri dreams of becoming an IAS officer, but her journey hasn’t been easy. Her father, Rajiv Kumar Tripathi, lost his job after suffering a leg injury during the COVID-19 lockdown. The family struggled to pay her school’s ₹1,650 monthly fee, accumulating dues of over ₹18,000.
By February, she had stopped attending school. Rajiv chose to continue supporting his Class 12 son’s education, even if it meant pausing Pankhuri’s studies. But instead of giving up, he brought his daughter to the Janata Durbar in Gorakhpur to seek help directly from the Chief Minister.
From Hope to Disappointment
CM Yogi Adityanath listened to her and publicly promised that her education would continue. The gesture seemed to reflect the ideals of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.”
But when Pankhuri and her father visited the school afterward, the administration shut down their request. They refused to waive the fees and allegedly spoke rudely to the family.
According to NDTV, the school told them fee waivers weren’t possible because they had to pay teachers and manage operations. “They said that if they let one student go without paying, others would follow,” Pankhuri said.
Akhilesh Yadav Attacks BJP Over the Incident
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav used this moment to criticize the BJP government. He posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Those who are busy hoarding, how will they waive or pay someone’s fees?”
Yadav accused the BJP of misleading people through hollow slogans like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. He urged the ruling party not to deceive children with false promises.
He also assured the girl that her education would not stop, promising support from his party.
Family Holds On to Faith in CM Adityanath
Despite the school’s rejection, Pankhuri’s family still trusts Yogi Adityanath. Her father said, “We are close to the Math and Maharaj ji (Yogi ji). We believe he will take care of my daughter’s education.”
For the Tripathi family, the issue is not just about money. It’s about dignity, justice, and keeping a promise made in public.
Systemic Gaps in Education Support
This case reflects deeper flaws in India’s education system. Private schools, like the one Pankhuri attends, often operate like businesses. Even when political leaders offer help, school administrations follow internal policies strictly.
The question arises—shouldn’t a public assurance from a Chief Minister lead to concrete action? If not, what’s the value of such promises?
Does Beti Padhao Work in Reality?
Incidents like this reveal that the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign may still be far from achieving its ground-level goals. If students like Pankhuri need to plead their case before the Chief Minister just to stay in school, then the system needs urgent reform.
What’s missing isn’t slogans or photo-ops—it’s a mechanism that translates promises into support that actually reaches students.
Time for Government Action, Not Symbolism
Pankhuri’s story is not unique. Thousands of children across India face similar struggles. The UP government must take firm steps—whether by setting up a student aid fund or issuing mandatory instructions to government-affiliated private schools in such cases.
Political leaders must ensure their words don’t become empty gestures. Education should not depend on bureaucracy or luck—it should be a right.
