Parents Raise Issue of Fee Hike at Townhall, Education Minister Loses Temper – Saurabh Bharadwaj

• In a townhall, people’s questions are supposed to be answered, but the Education Minister had only called parents to listen to his speech – Saurabh Bharadwaj
• Education Minister Ashish Sood insulted parents of private school students by calling them to his house – Manish Sisodia
• The BJP government first brought a black law in favour of private schools, and is now stopping parents from even asking questions – Manish Sisodia
• By rejecting AAP’s proposed amendments, the BJP government passed a law in favour of the education mafia and for the exploitation of parents – Sanjeev Jha

New Delhi, Aug 2025 : The BJP government in Delhi has been promoting its new school fee law as a protective shield for parents of children studying in private schools. However, when parents themselves questioned this law, Education Minister Ashish Sood reportedly lost his temper.

The incident took place during a townhall meeting in Sood’s Janakpuri constituency, where he was interacting with parents about the fee regulation law. When one parent raised the issue of rising school fees, the minister not only got angry but also said, “Those who want to leave, may leave.”

AAP Delhi Convenor Saurabh Bharadwaj and former Education Minister Manish Sisodia shared the video of this exchange on social media platform X, attacking the BJP for insulting parents.

Sisodia said, “Parents of Delhi whose children study in private schools have been gravely insulted by the Education Minister. If anyone still thinks the BJP will not ruin their children’s future, they must watch this video. First, they brought a black law to protect private schools and exploit parents. And now, when parents raise questions, they are insulted at the minister’s own home. Seeing such a government and such an education minister makes my heart weep for the future of Delhi’s children.”

At a press conference held at the AAP headquarters, Saurabh Bharadwaj along with MLA Sanjeev Jha strongly criticized Sood. Bharadwaj said, “Just a few days ago, Ashish Sood organized a townhall meeting in his constituency, claiming he would interact with parents about the school fee law and take their questions. But as we had warned earlier, this was only propaganda. Parents were not invited to engage, they were simply called to listen. When real parents tried to raise their concerns, the minister began threatening them instead.”

He alleged that when parents questioned the minister, he told them to “submit questions in writing,” but has never given written replies to any such queries. Bharadwaj further said that at the meeting, parents were intimidated, their mobile phones were confiscated, and police officers were deployed to prevent any recording. “Is this the language and conduct expected of a minister? Sood even said that since he organized the event and provided food, only he would promote his message, not the parents’. Is such a person fit to be a minister, let alone Education Minister? I think Ashish Sood himself needs education,” Bharadwaj remarked, calling the incident shameful and unprecedented.

He added, “This is hooliganism and bullying by the BJP government. They want to run the state through intimidation while squeezing the middle class.”

Sharing a video clip from the townhall on X, Bharadwaj said, “This is your Education Minister Ashish Sood, getting angry at parents’ questions. A townhall means answering people’s concerns, but here, people were only made to listen to his speech. This school fee law has been designed for the benefit of school owners. It legalizes the exploitation of parents. As soon as BJP came to power, private schools increased fees arbitrarily. They said they would bring a law, but did not consult any parents’ body or hold public consultations.”

Meanwhile, AAP’s Chief Whip in the Assembly, Sanjeev Jha, said that when the School Fee Bill was tabled in the House, AAP strongly opposed it and even proposed amendments. “We suggested corrections so the law could genuinely serve the people. We demanded a division of votes to see who stands with parents and who with the education mafia. Unfortunately, the entire government sided with the education mafia and rejected our amendments, passing a law that is designed to exploit parents.”

Jha added that the new law is perhaps the only one in the country where parents are denied even the right to approach the courts. “Filing a complaint against a school is already very difficult because it requires 15 parents together. Parents wanted representation through their associations, but the BJP government ignored every suggestion. This law gives all powers to the minister and the Director of Education. If they themselves become the centre of corruption, parents will have no recourse. Without an independent body to hear complaints, how can exploitation stop? This bill not only enables exploitation of parents, but also protects private schools that keep raising fees arbitrarily. It legalizes loot and corruption in education.”