--- title: "Congress MLAs boycott Rajasthan Assembly on first day of monsoon session" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/congress-mlas-boycott-rajasthan-assembly-ccn9x publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Politics published: 2026-08-21T00:30:32.573Z modified: 2026-08-21T03:00:06.054Z language: en-IN --- # Congress MLAs boycott Rajasthan Assembly on first day of monsoon session Congress MLAs staged a dharna outside the Rajasthan Assembly on August 20, 2026, protesting restrictions on entry of outsiders to government schools. The House was adjourned to August 21 as protests continued and lawmakers demanded Education Minister Dilawar's resignation. ## Key takeaways - Congress MLAs staged a dharna outside the Rajasthan Assembly on August 20, 2026 to protest entry restrictions to government schools. - The government justified the policy as protecting student privacy and safety, while the opposition accused it of curbing oversight. - The session was adjourned to August 21, 2026, with lawmakers planning further actions and a privilege motion announced by the Congress. ## What Happened The first day of Rajasthan’s Monsoon session on August 20, 2026, saw Congress MLAs boycott proceedings and hold a dharna outside the Assembly in Jaipur. The protest was staged in response to a government order restricting outsiders from entering government schools without the principal’s prior permission and barring photography and videography without written approval. Inside the House, Speaker Vasudev Devnani expressed disappointment at the absence of the opposition, and the government appointed Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg and Minister Jogaram Patel criticized the Congress for staying away. After obituary references and some legislative business, the session was adjourned until Friday, August 21, 2026. The opposition former backer Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully led the march from the Podar School for Deaf and Mute toward the Assembly, where police blocked entry with barricades and a brief scuffle occurred. Congress lawmakers sat outside the Assembly in a dharna and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Madan Dilawar. The government’s order was defended by Dilawar, who said it aimed to protect minor students’ privacy, safety, and rights and did not constitute a blanket ban on visitors. Opposition figures accused the government of authoritarian tactics and restricting access to raise issues in the Assembly, including alleged corruption in the education department and broader governance concerns. In parallel, a separate political row emerged over attendance for a national song and other procedural matters. The session included the introduction of a Rajasthan Tree (Protection) Bill and a bill to establish a private university, alongside debate on the government’s school-entry restrictions. ## Why It Matters The protests highlight a clash over transparency and access to public schools, with lawmakers accusing the government of curbing scrutiny by restricting outsiders and media presence. The incident underscores tensions between the ruling BJP government and the Congress opposition, potentially affecting legislative functioning and public perception of governance in Rajasthan. ## Background Previously, the government announced restrictions on outsiders entering government schools and barred photography and videography without written approval from school heads. The administration argued the policy was meant to protect students’ privacy and safety. The opposition has framed the move as an attempt to stifle criticism and oversight. ## Key Facts - Date of event: August 20, 2026 - Location: Rajasthan Assembly, Jaipur - Protest leaders: Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully - Gate involved in entry restrictions: Gate No. 6 (reportedly locked) - Entry policy: Outsiders cannot enter government schools without prior permission; photography and videography require written approval - Inside House: Speaker Vasudev Devnani expressed disappointment at opposition absence - Government response: Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg and Minister Jogaram Patel criticized the Congress; Education Minister Madan Dilawar defended the policy - Session outcome: Proceedings adjourned till Friday, August 21, 2026 - Protest actions: Congress MLAs marched to the Assembly, engaged in barricade standoff, and sat on dharna outside - Upcoming business: Introduction of Rajasthan Tree (Protection) Bill and a private university establishment bill - Additional claims by Congress: About 85,000 school classrooms in poor condition; 1.25 lakh teaching posts vacant; nine lakh children have dropped out in the last three years ## What Happens Next The Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on August 21, 2026, with the expectation that legislators will resume formal proceedings. The Congress has indicated plans to submit a privilege motion over the entry gate restrictions and the handling of school access, while the government will pursue its listed legislative agenda, including the Tree Protection Bill and the private university bill. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/congress-mlas-boycott-rajasthan-assembly-ccn9x Reported from: Multiple Sources