In a powerful display of dissent, a coalition of major teacher unions held a massive demonstration outside the Deputy Commissioner's office in Ludhiana on Tuesday. The protestors launched severe accusations against the state government and the State Election Commission, holding them responsible for what they called lethal mismanagement during the recent Zila Parishad elections.
Tragic Deaths Spark Outrage
The protest, spearheaded by the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF) and the Government School Teachers Union, was triggered by two deeply distressing incidents. The immediate catalyst was the tragic deaths of two teachers in a road accident in Moga. These educators were traveling for election-related duty when the accident occurred. The unions are now demanding immediate financial and educational security for the bereaved families left behind.
In a formal memorandum, the unions have asked for a compensation of Rs 2 crore for the children of the deceased teachers. They have also insisted that the state government should bear the entire cost of the children's future education. Furthermore, for teachers who sustained injuries during the polling process across various districts, the unions have issued a demand for Rs 20 lakh in compensation.
Allegations of Vindictive Actions and Unsafe Conditions
Beyond compensation, the protesters voiced strong objections against administrative practices they labeled as "vindictive." They highlighted instances in Samrala and Machiwara, where the authorities recommended filing FIRs (First Information Reports) against teachers who failed to attend poll rehearsals.
Rupinder Pal Singh Gill, the general secretary of the DTF, outlined the logistical nightmare faced by educators. "Teachers are being assigned duties 50 to 100 km away from their homes and schools, causing extreme logistical hardship," he stated. The unions also heavily criticized the directive for teachers to report for vote counting duties as early as 6 a.m. They argued that forcing teachers to travel in the early morning hours, often in poor conditions, has directly contributed to fatal accidents.
Key Demands for Systemic Reform
The memorandum, submitted to Additional Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, listed several non-negotiable demands for reform. A primary demand is the principle of proximity of duty. This means election assignments must be restricted to the teacher's residential area or the block where their school is located.
The unions are also adamant that teachers should not be burdened with the tasks of Block Level Officers (BLOs) on top of their election responsibilities. They have called for the government to completely stop appointing teachers to non-educational roles that interfere with their primary school duties.
Organizations including the 4161 Master Cadre and the 6635 Teacher Unions have warned that they are finalizing a "next plan of action" if the state government fails to address their concerns adequately. While the ADC has accepted the request letter, the administration has not yet given a formal response regarding the compensation demands or the withdrawal of the recommended FIRs.
