Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of Uttar Pradesh of systematically shutting down approximately 26,000 schools since 2017. Yadav claims these closures were not administrative necessities but a deliberate effort to deny basic education to children from the PDA—Pichda (Backward), Dalit, and Alpasankhyak (Minority)—communities.
The allegations suggest a targeted campaign to marginalize specific voting blocs by restricting their access to state-funded education, thereby hindering the social and economic mobility of the state’s most disadvantaged populations.
The Allegations of Systemic Closure
Speaking on the state of primary and secondary education in Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav asserted that the scale of school closures since 2017 is unprecedented and disproportionately affects rural and marginalized areas. According to Yadav, the closure of 26,000 institutions represents a significant retreat of the state from its obligation to provide universal education.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) leader specifically linked these closures to the PDA coalition—a political and social grouping comprising Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Dalits, and religious minorities. Yadav argues that the government has identified these communities as political adversaries and is using the dismantling of educational infrastructure as a tool for systemic disenfranchisement.
The SP claims that while the government may cite “mergers” or “rationalization” as the reason for these closures, the practical result is the removal of schools from the immediate vicinity of PDA households, forcing children to travel longer distances or drop out entirely.
Why This Matters
The implications of these allegations extend beyond political rhetoric, touching upon the fundamental right to education and the long-term demographic trajectory of Uttar Pradesh. If the figures are accurate, the loss of 26,000 schools would represent a massive contraction in the state’s educational capacity.
Education is the primary vehicle for social mobility in India. For the PDA communities, who historically face higher rates of poverty and lower literacy levels, the proximity of a government school is often the only factor determining whether a child receives an education. The removal of these facilities can lead to an increase in child labor and a widening of the inequality gap between urban centers and rural hinterlands.
Furthermore, this issue highlights a growing tension regarding the “rationalization” of government services. While governments often argue that merging under-populated schools improves resource allocation and teacher-student ratios, critics argue that such policies ignore the geographical and social barriers that prevent marginalized children from accessing centralized hubs.
Background and Context
The “PDA” formula has become the central pillar of the Samajwadi Party’s current political strategy. By explicitly grouping Backward Classes, Dalits, and Minorities, the SP is attempting to build a broad-based coalition of marginalized identities to challenge the BJP’s electoral dominance in India’s most populous state.
Uttar Pradesh has long struggled with the quality and accessibility of its primary education system. Previous administrations have faced criticism for “ghost teachers” and dilapidated infrastructure. The current BJP administration has frequently touted its “Operation Kayakalp,” a program aimed at transforming the infrastructure of primary schools.
However, the SP’s allegations suggest that infrastructure upgrades for some schools have come at the cost of the total elimination of others. The tension between “quality” (concentrating resources in fewer, better schools) and “access” (maintaining a wide network of small, local schools) is at the heart of this dispute.
Historically, the Dalit and OBC communities have utilized government education to enter the civil service and professional sectors. Any perceived attempt to curb this access is viewed by opposition leaders not as a budgetary measure, but as an attempt to maintain existing power hierarchies.
Analysis: The Political Strategy of Educational Scrutiny
The claims made by Akhilesh Yadav frame the closure of educational institutions not as an administrative or budgetary decision, but as a targeted political strategy to limit the social mobility of specific voting blocs. By linking the closures to the PDA coalition, the Samajwadi Party is positioning the issue as a systemic failure of the state government to provide equitable access to basic education for disadvantaged populations.
From a strategic standpoint, the SP is moving the political conversation away from identity-based rhetoric and toward “deliverables”—specifically, the physical presence of state services. By citing a specific number (26,000), Yadav is attempting to move the debate into the realm of data and accountability, forcing the government to either provide a detailed list of closures or accept the narrative of negligence.
This framing also serves to consolidate the PDA identity. By claiming that the government is targeting all three groups (Pichda, Dalit, and Alpasankhyak) through a single policy of school closures, the SP is attempting to create a shared sense of grievance among diverse communities that may otherwise have competing interests.
What to Watch Next
The veracity of these claims will likely depend on the release of official government data regarding school mergers and closures since 2017. Observers should look for:
1. Government Response: Whether the Uttar Pradesh administration provides a detailed breakdown of school closures and the specific criteria used for “rationalization.”
2. Independent Audits: Whether educational NGOs or independent researchers conduct mapping exercises to see if closures are indeed concentrated in PDA-heavy districts.
3. Legal Challenges: Whether the Samajwadi Party or civil rights groups file Public Interest Litigations (PILs) in the Allahabad High Court to challenge the legality of these closures.
4. Electoral Impact: How this narrative resonates with rural voters in the lead-up to future local and state elections, particularly among the OBC and Dalit demographics.
Conclusion
The allegation that 26,000 schools were shut down to target the PDA communities is a severe charge that strikes at the heart of the state’s social contract. If proven, it suggests a policy of intentional exclusion. If refuted with evidence, it remains a potent example of how educational infrastructure has become a primary battleground in the political struggle for Uttar Pradesh. Regardless of the final tally, the debate underscores a critical tension in Indian governance: the balance between administrative efficiency and the guaranteed right of the most marginalized to access the state’s basic services.
Sources:
India Today – India (https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/up-primary-school-closures-akhilesh-yadav-26000-schools-shut-since-2017-bjp-samajwadi-party-ptag-2961722-2026-08-02?utm_source=rss)
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Story synopsis gathered from: India Today – India — source
