Thousands of Teachers in Jail on Teacher’s Day

The harsh glare of the sun fell upon Jantar Mantar of Delhi as thousands of teachers gathered for Jail Bharo Abhiyan. September 5, on the occasion of Teachers Day, compelled by the apathetic attitude of the present government, they marched to the Parliament street police station to court arrest.

The nationwide protest call was given by All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations (AIFUCTO) and Federation of Central Universities’ Teachers’ Association (FEDCUTA). Teachers from across country were present in the rally.

The leadership chose September 5 for the program as the day carries a special significance to all the teachers of the country. “The abysmal state of higher education, the heinous attempt of the government to make research and pursuit of knowledge redundant in the coming years, in addition to the climate of distrust, fear and uncertainty that loom over the educational institutes and systematic attempt to silence the teachers, made us choose September 5 as the day to launch our crusade against the present regime.” AIFUCTO press release read.

“Achhe din kahan gaye?… ache din chale gaye” was one of the many slogans being raised by the group of aggrieved educators. The protesters from different states were ready to halt their routines to be in Delhi for the Jail Bharo Abhiyan.  They were determined to fight harder and more aggressively if the government maintains its stoic silence on the repeated pleas of the teachers.

Image Courtesy: Trina Shankar

A delegation led by D. Raja (CPI) met the Human Resource Development minister, Prakash Javadekar. According to Rajib Ray, DUTA president, the HRD minister tried his best to create a wedge between AIFUCTO and FEDCUTA. On being questioned about the publication and implementation of 7th UGC pay revision recommendation, the ministerhad no answer. A vague response was given to the delegation of teachers, when questions on spending 6% of GDP on education were raised. In all, the teachers were very disappointed with the meeting and planned to take the fight forward.

“The division between teachers will be the end of AIFUCTO and FEDCUTA. Teachers are not going to rest because dignity is very important to us” – said Rajib Ray, FEDCUTA President.

Higher education in India is in the throes of the deepest crisis it has faced since independence. There is a systematic and all out attempt to stop public funding in education, stop research and turn education into a lucrative field of gain and entertainment.

“We are not here for ourselves. We are worried about the future of the students in our state. We as generation of teachers want to fight against privatisation” said Dr. Jogender Paul of Mahindra College, Patiala.

“Education is the most important pillar and this is what you are uprooting. Today we teachers would not be here if there was privatisation; we are teachers because of government schools and colleges. The bureaucrats getting out from our classes are deciding our salaries and devaluing us at every step.” An evidently furious Suman Luthria asserts.

Video Courtesy: Trina Shankar

This movement of the teachers has been going on for more than a year. Permanent employment of teachers is long due, there have been no promotions. Academic Performance Indicators (API) system of evaluating teachers is being protested against. The arrogance of the Modi government to acknowledge the presence and voice of the teaching community is reflected in the manner it is dealing with the 7th PRC report.

On the occasion of Teachers Day, more than 5000 teachers sit in the Police station, determined to save education. “Our fight has just begun,” they said.

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