“Even after years of independence students of Bhiw Dhanora village, Aurangabad District risks their life by crossing backwaters of the Jaikwadi Dam to go to school every day”
The Aurangabad Bench of Bombay High Court on 28.08.2023 took suo motto cognizance of the news item published in Times of India, Aurangabad Edition on 27.08.2023.
The Division Bench of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ravindra V Ghuge J & Hon’ble Mr. Justice Y G Khobragadde J looking into the plight of young school going children subjected risking their life converted the news item in a Suo Motu PIL & also appointed Mr.Pushkar Shendurnikar, Advocate to prepare a PIL petition under the Bombay High Court PIL Rules, 2010 and present the same before the Court.
The news item revealed how even after years of independence 15 children from the Bhiw Dhanora village of Aurangabad district, sit on a thick thermocol sheet and use makeshift oars to cross the kilometre-long stretch of the backwaters of the Jaikwadi Dam to go to school which happens to be one of the largest dams of the Maharashtra.
The news item stated that a 11-year-old girl Prajakte kale, makes every day this daring journey along with his brother. His father Vishnu Kale was interviewed by Times of India he said that he does not want his children to remain illiterate like him. So, his daughter and son travel on the thermocol sheet for going to school.
It becomes frightening due to the presence of venomous snakes in the water. The little girl told Times of India that they carry bamboo sticks or makeshift oars to fend off water snakes that climb on the thermocol sheet as they navigate their way.