My Work on the Ground in Delhi’s Slums and Streets
My courtroom battles start here, in the lanes where children are denied their basic rights. These images are not just photos, they are the evidence of the reality I fight to change every single day.
Interacting with children in a slum, I find out that a four-year-old boy named Sunny is not yet in school. I reminded his parents that admission in an MCD school is his right at this age. It is crucial to be aware and act.
These girls came to Delhi from their village hoping for a better education. Their determination is inspiring. I always tell them, "Ladoge tabhi toh milega" (Only by fighting will you get what is yours).
In a slum area, I am encouraging a mother to enroll her seven-year-old son in school. I assured her that if she faces any difficulty, I will personally come to the school to intervene. Every child must be educated.
A mother tells me she can't get her son admitted without an Aadhaar card. I explained to her that no document can be a reason to deny a child's education. The child is the proof. The law is clear on this.
Speaking to families in the rag pickers' area of Rohini. I explained that the government is responsible for admitting all children under 14. But it requires parents to be persistent and honest in their efforts.
A simple handshake with a child in a slum. It is in these moments that I introduce myself as a lawyer who is there to help them. Building trust is the first step in this long fight.
Sitting with students in their classroom, listening to their experiences. Understanding their perspective is crucial to fighting for better educational standards and facilities for them.
A conversation with children at their doorstep. Often, the biggest barrier to education is a lack of information and awareness. My goal is to bridge that gap, one family at a time.
A heartwarming report from Faridabad, Haryana. This young boy was so eager for his school to reopen that he prayed to God for it every day. His joy at finally returning to the classroom is what we are all fighting for.
Visiting a Haryana Government Primary School and talking to students about their experiences during the pandemic. I asked a student, Deepika, if we should fear Corona or if Corona should fear us. Her confident reply was that Corona should fear us.
About On the Ground: My Fight in the Streets and Slums
When I walk into a slum, I look for the parents who have been turned away from schools due to minor issues like missing paperwork. I don't just see a crisis; I see a clear violation of the Right to Education Act. My job here is to intervene immediately, talk to the school authorities, and ensure the child gets the seat they are legally owed. You do not need to fear the system when you know exactly what your rights are.
My activism is not limited to the air-conditioned halls of the Delhi High Court. The real battles for justice are won in the streets and at the gates of schools that try to shut out the children of the poor. When a school denies admission to a child from an EWS background, they often cite arbitrary reasons like a missing Aadhaar card or a lack of proper documentation. Under the law, these are not valid reasons to stop a child's education.
I visit these areas to build the evidence needed to file a Writ Petition or a PIL. This work allows me to meet families directly, hear their stories, and explain that education is not a favour granted by the school, but a right guaranteed by the State. Whether it is a child from the rag-picker communities of Rohini or a student in Faridabad, my approach is the same. I start by speaking to the school principals to resolve the issue informally. If they refuse to listen to reason, we move to legal notices and court litigation.
I have seen parents give up because they think the system is too powerful. I am here to tell you that it is not. By documenting the situation on the ground—talking to the children, meeting the parents, and exposing the infrastructure gaps—we create a record that holds these institutions accountable. If you are facing similar harassment or a denial of rights for your child, do not stay silent. The law is on your side, but you must be prepared to fight for it.
Ashok Agarwal
I am Ashok Agarwal, and I spend as much time on the streets as I do in the Delhi High Court. My goal is simple: to make sure that poverty does not mean a child stays uneducated. I am the voice for those who are silenced by the system.
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