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Shimla, June 6
Himachal Pradesh High Court has once again underlined that educational institutions are meant primarily for academic purposes, rejecting requests to organize the Birshi Mela in Shimla district and the Bodgar Fair in Sirmaur district on government school premises.
A Division Bench of the High Court declined permission after noting that both events were proposed on days when the concerned schools were functioning and students were attending classes.
The court observed that allowing fairs, cultural programmes and sporting events in school campuses during the academic session would run contrary to its earlier judgments protecting educational institutions from non-academic use.
The latest order came while dismissing an application seeking permission to organize the Birshi Mela, including a volleyball tournament and cultural programme, at Government Senior Secondary School, Khamadi, in Nankhari tehsil of Shimla district.
“The organizers had proposed to conduct the event after school hours, but the court found that the institution would still be functioning on the proposed dates and therefore declined permission.”
While rejecting the plea, the court also referred to its recent decision dismissing a similar application for organizing the traditional Bodgar Fair in the playground of Government Senior Secondary School, Bogdar, in Noharadhar tehsil of Sirmaur district.
In that case as well, the court held that since the proposed fair was scheduled on working days, permission could not be granted as it would violate the principle that school premises are meant primarily for educational purposes.
The court reiterated that school infrastructure should remain dedicated to educational activities and that academic interests of students must take precedence over all other considerations.
It held that permitting such events on working days would dilute the purpose for which educational institutions have been established.
The decision is in line with the High Court’s long-standing position that school premises should not be used for activities unrelated to education.
In recent years, the court has repeatedly intervened to prevent the use of educational institutions for public, political, religious and other non-academic functions.
The High Court recently examined the use of school premises for helicopter operations as well. While observing that helicopter landing or take-off may be considered in exceptional circumstances when an educational institution is closed, the court took serious note of an incident in which a helicopter was allowed to land at a school after consent was granted by the principal. Holding that such use violated norms governing educational institutions, the court imposed costs of Rs two lakh on a prominent charitable religious trust.
Legal experts believe the latest orders strengthen the High Court’s consistent message that schools and colleges must not be treated as convenient venues for fairs, public gatherings or other activities that could interfere with the educational environment.
The court has maintained that safeguarding the sanctity of educational institutions and ensuring uninterrupted academic activity is of paramount importance and must remain the State’s foremost priority.
The Birshi Mela application was dismissed by the Himachal Pradesh High Court on June 3, 2026.
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