The tragic death of a teacher couple from Bathinda, who lost their lives while on election duty, has ignited a major controversy over the compensation announced by the government. Teacher associations and the grieving family have rejected the Rs 10 lakh relief offered for each victim, calling it meagre, and are now demanding a significantly higher amount alongside long-term security for the couple's orphaned children.
Details of the Tragic Accident and Immediate Aftermath
Jaskaran Singh (47), an English teacher, and his wife Kamaljit Kaur (45), a physical education teacher, met with a fatal accident on December 14. Their car plunged into a drain, leading to their drowning. The couple was on their way to perform local body election duty at the time of the incident. They leave behind their two young children: a 14-year-old daughter studying in Class IX and an 11-year-old son in Class VI.
Following the tragedy, the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF) stepped forward to advocate for the family. They set a deadline of December 24—the day of the couple's memorial service (bhog) at their village, Dhurkot Ransih—for the government to meet their demands. Their primary demands included an ex gratia compensation of Rs 2 crore for each deceased, a government guarantee for the education of both children, and a written assurance of future employment for them upon reaching adulthood.
Government Response and Mounting Protests
On Wednesday, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan paid tribute to the couple and announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each. While he reportedly accepted the other demands concerning the children's welfare, the monetary compensation fell drastically short of the DTF's expectations.
Calling the announced amount insufficient, the teacher unions and the family have decided to escalate their protest. They have planned a series of candle marches to draw public attention to their cause:
- A march at the couple's residence in Dhurkot Ransih village on December 27.
- A second march at Jaskaran's workplace in Khote village on December 29.
- A final march at Kamaljit's workplace in Patto Hira Singh village on December 31.
Future Action and Ongoing Demands
DTF state president Digvijay Pal has indicated that the protests will continue into the new year. An action plan is likely to be discussed in the first week of January at Moga, beyond the three scheduled candle marches. The core issue remains the perceived inadequacy of the financial relief for a family that lost both its breadwinners in the line of a civic duty.
The case highlights the broader debate about the value placed on the lives of government employees and teachers who die while performing assigned election duties. The community's support for the bereaved family underscores the demand for a more compassionate and substantial support system in such tragic circumstances.
