BAGALKOTE, KARNATAKA — Authorities in Karnataka have launched a multi-departmental probe into a government higher primary school in Alabal village, Jamkhandi taluk, after a disturbing photograph surfaced on social media. The image, which went viral on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, shows young students crouching beside an open drain to wash their midday meal plates in contaminated water.
The incident has sparked public outrage, with parents and activists pointing to a systemic failure to provide basic drinking water and handwashing facilities at the institution.
1. Official Action: Show-Cause Notices Issued
The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) acted swiftly on Thursday, January 29, after the image was widely circulated on Facebook.
- Suo Motu Complaint: KSCPCR Chairperson Shashidhar S. Kosambe confirmed that a complaint has been registered against the school’s headmaster, teachers, and members of the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC).
- Suspension Warning: The Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), Ajit Mannikeri, visited the school and issued a formal show-cause notice to Headmaster Nanda Bhimaji Kulkarni. The officials have been given 3 days to provide a written explanation or face immediate disciplinary action.
2. Health Concerns & Infrastructure Gaps
The viral report has highlighted several critical issues at the Government Higher Primary School in Alabal:
- Water Crisis: Local community members allege that the school has been operating without adequate drinking water for months, forcing students to use any available water source, including pipes located dangerously close to sewage.
- Health Risks: Medical experts warn that exposure to sewage water poses severe risks of waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid, and various gastrointestinal infections.
- Lack of Oversight: Parents noted that despite multiple requests to the SDMC, the hygiene standards at the school had continued to deteriorate.
3. The “Viral” Catalyst
The incident gained national attention only after a local resident, Shivalinga Ninganur, posted the photograph on social media, tagging the state education department and local elected representatives. The post ignited a debate on the condition of rural government schools, with many users demanding that the education budget be diverted from high-profile events to basic infrastructure.
Summary of Inquiries
| Agency Involved | Current Status |
| KSCPCR | Suo motu case registered; inquiry report sought. |
| School Education Dept. | Show-cause notice issued; 3-day deadline for reply. |
| District Administration | Field Education Officers (BEO) inspecting the campus. |
| Child Protection Unit | Investigating the safety and dignity of the children. |