MAKE SELF-DEFENCE EDUCATION MANDATORY IN EVERY SCHOOL AND COLLEGE IN INDIA
The Issue
To the Ministry of Education, Government of India, State Education Departments, School Boards, and Higher-Education Authorities
Why are we not teaching every student how to protect themselves?
Every day, we hear about incidents of sexual violence, harassment, and abuse. People get angry, post about it, demand justice, and eventually move on to the next trending issue. But the problem doesn't disappear just because people stop talking about it.
We need to start asking ourselves a serious question: Why isn't practical self-defence education a regular part of every student's education in India?
Some schools already provide self-defence training, and there are existing government initiatives. But access to training is not consistent across every school board and college. A student's opportunity to learn how to respond to danger shouldn't depend on which school they attend or whether their family can afford private classes.
That's why we're calling for a nationwide programme that makes regular, practical self-defence education a mandatory part of education in every recognised school and college in India.
What do we want to change?
1. Make self-defence a regular part of the timetable.
We don't want another one-day workshop that students forget a week later. We want scheduled, recurring practical classes throughout the academic year, with clear minimum standards that institutions must follow.
2. Bring in people who are actually qualified to teach it.
Training should be conducted by properly trained, verified instructors. Retired police officers, armed forces personnel, and other government personnel could contribute if they have the right qualifications. Self-defence requires proper instruction, not random demonstrations.
3. Make it available to every student.
The programme should cover students of all genders and be adapted to different age groups and abilities. No student should miss out simply because their school or college cannot afford to provide training.
4. Make the government fund it.
Schools and colleges need instructors, equipment, and proper training resources. The government should establish dedicated funding so that the programme doesn't become another expense passed on to students and their families.
5. Teach more than just physical techniques.
Students should learn how to recognise unsafe situations, set boundaries, respond under pressure, escape danger when possible, seek help, and report threats. Training should also teach consent and respect for other people's boundaries.
6. Make institutions accountable.
Education authorities should set clear requirements, publish which institutions are implementing the programme, monitor its quality, and explain what happens when institutions fail to meet the standards.
Who needs to act?
We call on the Union Ministry of Education to work with State and Union Territory governments, recognised school boards, the University Grants Commission, and other relevant education authorities to develop a national framework.
We want clear implementation guidelines, dedicated funding, a realistic timeline, and regular public reports on progress. We also urge Members of Parliament to examine existing laws and proposals and support measures that close gaps in access to self-defence education.
Why does this matter?
Let's be clear: self-defence training alone will not end sexual violence. The responsibility for abuse always lies with the person who commits it, never with the person who experiences it. Prevention, accountability, survivor support, and safe reporting systems remain essential.
But that doesn't mean we should ignore practical safety education. Students deserve the opportunity to build skills, confidence, and awareness that may help them respond to dangerous situations.
We shouldn't wait for another tragedy to make this issue important again. And we shouldn't settle for announcements that sound good but are never properly implemented.
We're asking for a real commitment: regular training, qualified instructors, government funding, and accountability.
Sign this petition to support a nationwide programme that makes practical self-defence education accessible to every student in India.
OUR SAFETY SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON WHICH SCHOOL WE ATTEND OR HOW MUCH OUR FAMILIES CAN AFFORD.
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The Issue
To the Ministry of Education, Government of India, State Education Departments, School Boards, and Higher-Education Authorities
Why are we not teaching every student how to protect themselves?
Every day, we hear about incidents of sexual violence, harassment, and abuse. People get angry, post about it, demand justice, and eventually move on to the next trending issue. But the problem doesn't disappear just because people stop talking about it.
We need to start asking ourselves a serious question: Why isn't practical self-defence education a regular part of every student's education in India?
Some schools already provide self-defence training, and there are existing government initiatives. But access to training is not consistent across every school board and college. A student's opportunity to learn how to respond to danger shouldn't depend on which school they attend or whether their family can afford private classes.
That's why we're calling for a nationwide programme that makes regular, practical self-defence education a mandatory part of education in every recognised school and college in India.
What do we want to change?
1. Make self-defence a regular part of the timetable.
We don't want another one-day workshop that students forget a week later. We want scheduled, recurring practical classes throughout the academic year, with clear minimum standards that institutions must follow.
2. Bring in people who are actually qualified to teach it.
Training should be conducted by properly trained, verified instructors. Retired police officers, armed forces personnel, and other government personnel could contribute if they have the right qualifications. Self-defence requires proper instruction, not random demonstrations.
3. Make it available to every student.
The programme should cover students of all genders and be adapted to different age groups and abilities. No student should miss out simply because their school or college cannot afford to provide training.
4. Make the government fund it.
Schools and colleges need instructors, equipment, and proper training resources. The government should establish dedicated funding so that the programme doesn't become another expense passed on to students and their families.
5. Teach more than just physical techniques.
Students should learn how to recognise unsafe situations, set boundaries, respond under pressure, escape danger when possible, seek help, and report threats. Training should also teach consent and respect for other people's boundaries.
6. Make institutions accountable.
Education authorities should set clear requirements, publish which institutions are implementing the programme, monitor its quality, and explain what happens when institutions fail to meet the standards.
Who needs to act?
We call on the Union Ministry of Education to work with State and Union Territory governments, recognised school boards, the University Grants Commission, and other relevant education authorities to develop a national framework.
We want clear implementation guidelines, dedicated funding, a realistic timeline, and regular public reports on progress. We also urge Members of Parliament to examine existing laws and proposals and support measures that close gaps in access to self-defence education.
Why does this matter?
Let's be clear: self-defence training alone will not end sexual violence. The responsibility for abuse always lies with the person who commits it, never with the person who experiences it. Prevention, accountability, survivor support, and safe reporting systems remain essential.
But that doesn't mean we should ignore practical safety education. Students deserve the opportunity to build skills, confidence, and awareness that may help them respond to dangerous situations.
We shouldn't wait for another tragedy to make this issue important again. And we shouldn't settle for announcements that sound good but are never properly implemented.
We're asking for a real commitment: regular training, qualified instructors, government funding, and accountability.
Sign this petition to support a nationwide programme that makes practical self-defence education accessible to every student in India.
OUR SAFETY SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON WHICH SCHOOL WE ATTEND OR HOW MUCH OUR FAMILIES CAN AFFORD.
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Petition created on 14 October 2026