Students in several parts of Chhattisgarh have taken to the streets over problems ranging from teacher shortages and poor-quality hostel food to allegations of corporal punishment and the absence of school principals. In several cases, students were joined by their parents, while some protests involved road blockades and sit-ins on major routes.

Over the past month, students have staged protests in different districts, demanding action from education officials and the removal of teachers, principals and hostel wardens. In some cases, authorities initiated inquiries or took action after complaints were raised. Here are seven recent cases that highlight the concerns being raised by students and their families.

In Durg district, students of the Swami Atmanand School in Pendrawan village blocked the Khairagarh-Dhamdha main road on August 21, protesting against a shortage of teachers. Students from Classes 9 to 12 said only five teachers were available, with subject-wise teaching affected because of the shortage. The students said the lack of adequate teachers was making it difficult to complete the syllabus and affecting their studies.

A similar protest took place in Korba, where students of the Eklavya Residential School in Chhuri have protested twice over their grievances. On August 13, students sat on the Korba-Katghora main road near Chhuri panchayat, causing traffic disruption. They demanded the removal of principal Dr Arshad Ahmed Ali and the hostel superintendent. Students alleged that their complaints were not handled properly and also raised concerns over the quality of food and basic facilities in the hostel.

In Dhamtari district, students and parents protested against teacher shortages at the government higher secondary school in Barna village on August 17. Students locked the school gate and staged a protest for around five hours despite the rain. The school reportedly has 175 students from Classes 9 to 12 but only five teachers. Protesters raised slogans against education officials and demanded action to address the shortage.

Another protest was reported from Balpur village in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district on August 19. Local residents protested over poor road conditions and locked the gate of the Swami Atmanand School. Students who arrived at the school were unable to enter and subsequently joined the protest outside the gate. Following a complaint by the Block Education Officer, police registered an FIR against the village deputy sarpanch under Sections 126(2), 221 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

In Durg's Patora village, students and parents had earlier protested against the headmistress of a government middle school over an allegation of corporal punishment. The complaint alleged that a student was beaten with a thorny stick, resulting in an injury to his hand. Parents and students approached the District Education Officer's office, demanding the suspension of headmistress Mamta Shandilya. Officials said the matter would be investigated, although no action had been reported at the time of the source report.

In Korba district, schoolgirls staged a road blockade on the Katghora-Ambikapur National Highway on August 6, demanding the removal of the warden of a Kasturba Gandhi Girls Hostel in the Bango police station area. The students alleged that the superintendent, Sharda Netam, forced them to massage her hands and feet, conducted prayers late at night and provided poor-quality or undercooked food. Following an inquiry, the education department removed the warden from her post.

Students at the Eklavya Model Residential School in Dharamjaigarh, Raigarh district, also boycotted classes on August 6 over alleged administrative and hostel-related problems. Students claimed that the principal did not regularly attend the school and questioned the quality of food served in the hostel. They staged a protest on the school premises, demanding improvements in the institution's functioning.

The protests come amid a broader discussion in Uttar Pradesh about how authorities should respond when schoolchildren take to the streets. The Uttar Pradesh government is reportedly preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that students' grievances are heard and resolved while protecting children's rights during protests. The proposed approach also emphasises avoiding the use of force against protesting students.

The recent incidents in Chhattisgarh underline recurring concerns around teacher availability, school administration, hostel facilities, food quality and student safety. While investigations and administrative action have followed some complaints, the protests show that students and parents are increasingly using public demonstrations to draw attention to problems inside schools and residential institutions.

A series of awareness and outreach activities are being organised across Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district as part of the National Cooperation Week, with the week-long campaign set to conclude on July 6 with a closing ceremony promoting the use of alternative fertilisers and strengthening cooperative institutions.

According to the district administration, the programme is being conducted through various Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies (PACS) to raise awareness about the role of cooperatives in rural development, agricultural growth and farmers' welfare.

The week-long campaign began on June 30 with a meeting of the District Cooperative Development Committee, where discussions focused on the role of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperative societies in enhancing farmers' income.

On July 1, demonstrations on the use of drones for spraying liquid fertilisers were organised along with awareness sessions on crop companions and soil health management. Farmers were also introduced to modern agricultural practices aimed at improving productivity.

As part of the campaign, farmers visited model cooperative societies on July 2 to gain practical knowledge of successful cooperative operations. Cooperative societies also distributed Micro ATMs, Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) and RuPay KCC cards to eligible beneficiaries to improve financial inclusion in rural areas.

Activities on July 3 included plantation drives and cleanliness campaigns, while awareness was also created through the circulation of the monthly publication 'Sahkari Samachar' issued by the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Union.

On July 4, health camps were organised at Jan Aushadhi Kendras operated by cooperative societies. Educational institutions also participated in the campaign through essay writing, painting and quiz competitions on the theme of cooperation on July 5, encouraging students to understand the importance of the cooperative movement.

The week-long programme will conclude on July 6 with a seminar on the use of alternative fertilisers, followed by a grand closing ceremony. Officials said the initiative is aimed at strengthening the spirit of cooperation among farmers and rural communities while promoting self-reliance through cooperative institutions.

The district administration believes the campaign will help increase public awareness about cooperative schemes, encourage greater participation in cooperative societies and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. Officials have also appealed to members of the Cooperation Department and the public to participate in large numbers in the concluding event.

While the rest of India follows the lunar calendar to celebrate the festival of colors, Salheona village in Chhattisgarh adheres to a much stricter, more mysterious rule. Located in the Baramkela block of the Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district, this community of 2,500 residents ignores the national holiday unless it falls specifically on a Tuesday or a Saturday.

For over a century, the people of Salheona have bypassed traditional dates to protect their homes from a localized "curse" that once threatened to burn their entire settlement to the ground.

The Haunting History: Why the Date Changed

The Salheona village Holi tradition isn't born out of mere preference, but out of historical necessity. According to village elders, nearly a hundred years ago, the village was plagued by spontaneous fires every time Holi was celebrated on its standard calendar date.

"Years ago, fires would break out suddenly during Holi. It would jump from one house to another, causing massive destruction," says Bhagra Sidar, a village elder. "This happened consecutively for three to four years, leaving the community in terror."

Desperate for a solution, the ancestors sought the counsel of Brahm Avdhut sages. The holy men suggested that the village perform a special "Shanti Yagna" (peace ritual) exclusively on a Tuesday or Saturday to appease the local deities and ward off the fire spirits. Since that day, the village has never looked back.

Rituals Before the Colors: A Day of Devotion

In Salheona, the festivities don't begin with a splash of water, but with hours of solemn prayer. Even if the rest of the state is covered in gulal, Salheona waits for its designated day.

• The Eve of Holi: Holika Dahan is performed with strict Vedic rituals only on the night preceding the chosen Tuesday or Saturday.

• The Morning Ritual: At 10:00 AM on the festival day, the entire village gathers for a two-hour ceremony involving Havan and Purnahuti (final offerings).

• The Celebration: Only after the religious smoke clears—usually around noon—does the community begin applying colors, continuing the celebration until sunset.

A Tradition Embraced by the New Generation

In an era of rapid modernization, one might expect the youth to rebel against such specific constraints. However, in Salheona, the sentiment is quite the opposite. Local Panchayat member Nandkumar Sarathi notes that the fear of "An-honi" (unfavorable incidents) keeps the tradition alive.

"The younger generation follows these rules with the same devotion as our ancestors," Sarathi explains. "We believe that skipping these rituals or playing on the 'wrong' day could invite disaster back into our homes."

Why It Matters Today

This unique tradition highlights the diverse tapestry of Chhattisgarh unique festivals. In a world where cultural practices are often homogenized, Salheona serves as a living museum of how local folklore and history shape modern life. It reminds us that for many communities in India, faith is not just about celebration—it is about protection and communal harmony.

As the 2026 Holi season approaches, while experts debate the exact Muhurta for March 4th, the residents of Salheona will simply be looking at their weekly calendar, waiting for a Tuesday or Saturday to bring their village to life.