Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members protested an alleged private school fee hike in Saket on Monday. Parents also expressed concerns about delayed CBSE board exam roll numbers. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj led the protest. He claimed private schools raised fees by 50-80% since April 1 last year. Bharadwaj stated the BJP government promised a new law for fee refunds, but none occurred.
Protesters Detained, Allegations Raised
Police detained 15 protesters, including Bharadwaj. They deployed security to maintain order. Protesters carried signs reading “stop blackmail.” They chanted “Band karo, Band karo- Shiksha se Khilwaad band karo.” AAP councillors from all zones attended. Class 10 board exams were set to begin Tuesday.
Bharadwaj alleged some students waited hours for roll numbers. He cited a national-level sportsperson among affected students. Schools threatened to withhold exam access if increased fees weren’t paid, Bharadwaj claimed.
Parental Concerns Amidst Delays
Ajeet Awasthi, a Class 10 parent, joined the protest. His child’s math exam was scheduled for Tuesday. The admit card had not been received. Awasthi stated they would pay department-approved fees. They refused the school’s increased charges. He demanded the admit card before the exam.
BJP Response and New Legislation
BJP MLA Harish Khurana responded to the allegations. He stated AAP leaders struggle to accept electoral defeat. Khurana praised Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s administration for transparency since 2025. He said the fee hike issue dated back to 2020 under AAP rule. No action was taken then, Khurana asserted.
Khurana mentioned previous fee disputes were resolved by BJP intervention. He added the Delhi government enacted a law for a permanent solution. The Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025 , bars unauthorized fees. It prevents pressuring parents. The law also prohibits withholding student roll numbers.
The Act established fee regulation committees. It created an appellate mechanism. The law froze private school fees at April 1, 2025 levels for the 2025-26 academic year. Education Minister Ashish Sood directed that no student’s future be jeopardized. All eligible students will receive roll numbers, Sood assured.
The legislation aims to regulate fee hikes. It ensures transparency and protects parents’ rights. The government will soon share all facts publicly, Khurana stated.