Class 8 Boy Dies in Bihar School, Anger Grows
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On July 17, 2025, a eighth-grade student perished as a result of electrocution on his school grounds in Bihar’s Sheikhpura district. This provoked political outrage and popular indignation. Charging the state government and school management with criminal negligence, the opposition parties are demanding quick accountability and strong action against individuals responsible. Between regular school hours, the event took place in Sheikhpura, at a government-run middle school. Reports say Rahul Kumar, the 13-year-old student, brushed against a live wire sagging on the school grounds. Witnesses reported that doctors pronounced the student dead right after the incident even though he was brought to the closest hospital. The local police were alerted and an investigation started shortly. Early reports said that the exposed wire had been ignored for days, despite parents and pupils frequently bemoaning the poor condition of the electrical system at the school. Local parents and the school administration disregarded several warnings about the bad state of the infrastructure and the incorrect wiring, according to the parents and residents. The episode has agitated the state legislature, with opposition leaders demanding the resignation of the education minister. Leaders of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress have jointly denounced the state administration for what they have called its “complete failure to guarantee fundamental safety in schools. ” RJD head Tejashwi Yadav remarked to the press, “This is not just an accident—it is murder due to the callousness of the government. Our children’s future is under danger where places intended to protect them are dying. Apart from a brief message of condolences and a promise of collaboration with the investigation, the institution administration has stayed mainly mute. The local government has put the headmaster and school electrician on hold pending more inquiry and ordered the district education officer to submit a report within 48 hours. Additionally called in to address the dearth of monitoring were officials from the state electric board. Expressing regret, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered an instant compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the bereaved family. “The death of a youngster under such circumstances is very upsetting. A complete inquiry has been ordered; those guilty would not be spared,” he said. But opposition parties and civil society groups contend that no amount of monetary reward can make up for the life lost due to carelessness. The event has got people questioning the condition of government schools’ infrastructure all throughout Bihar. Recent studies show that many schools don’t have basic safety measures and that complaints of poor electrical maintenance abounds. Parents and education activists argue that the catastrophe emphasizes the inherent indifference to student well-being and safety especially in rural areas. Patna-based education activist Anjali Sinha, who has been advocating for a state-wide school campus audit with a focus on electrical and structural safety, said, “We cannot afford to send our children to schools that may become death traps. ” Furthermore, calls for justice have flooded social media channels, with hashtags like #JusticeForRahul and #SafeSchools going viral throughout the state. Pupils and young groups have planned candle vigils and silent protests in several places. Rahul’s grieving family has meanwhile demanded justice, saying, “He was a bright child, full of dreams. ” “What did he do wrong? ” his father asked, fighting back tears. “We want those who ignored the danger to face the consequences. ” This terrible event has once again highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and safety inspections in schools. Furthermore, it has exposed serious flaws in the accountability mechanisms of the educational system. Hoping that Rahul’s death marks a turning point and not just another figure, the people of Bihar are watching the inquiry very closely.
