Taking cognisance of a report published in The Tribune highlighting the plight of nearly 400 students studying in harsh conditions, the Punjab State & Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission has initiated suo-motu proceedings in the matter.The action follows a news report titled “No fans, 400 Ludhiana students brave 39°C heat in open”, which exposed how students of a government primary school in Shimlapuri were forced to attend classes in the open without fans, electricity or proper classrooms.The commission, comprising Chairperson Justice Sant Parkash and Member Jitender Singh Shunty, observed that such conditions amount to a violation of the basic human rights of children, including their right to education in a safe and dignified environment.As per the commission’s order, the students had been shifted to a temporary site around five months ago after their school building was declared unsafe. However, the alternative arrangement lacks even basic facilities. Students are reportedly sitting under direct sunlight, while teachers are forced to repeatedly shift blackboards and benches as the sun moves during the day.The commission also noted serious concerns regarding the mid-day meal scheme, which is being run in unhygienic conditions at the site.Calling the situation “deeply concerning”, the panel has sought a detailed report from the District Education Officer (Primary), Ludhiana. The officer has been directed to submit the report at least a week before the next hearing scheduled for May 12 and to appear in person before the commission on that date.Opposition raise issueFormer Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal shared the news item of The Tribune on his social media accounts and wrote, “This single picture is enough to burst the bubble of ‘Sikhya Kranti’ built by wasting thousands of crores on fake publicity.”He stated that both Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains failed in this.Following this, senior Congress party leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira shared this news item and wrote that “This is the so-called Education Model of the AAP government”.BJP Punjab has also shared the news item on their social media accounts and called the failed education system of the AAP government.