‘Is this the new India? Teachers are crying’

In a strong show of protest against the brutal murder of principal Jagbir Pannu on the campus of the private school he worked at in Hisar district, all private schools across Sirsa remained closed on Wednesday.

School owners and staff, under the banner of the Federation of Private Schools Welfare Association, gathered outside the Mini-Secretariat in Sirsa to stage a dharna, demanding the immediate implementation of a school safety Act. The protesters sat on the ground and raised slogans such as “Principal Jagbir Pannu amar rahe” (Long live principal Jagbir Pannu), and “Is this the new India? Teachers are crying”. They held up placards demanding respect and safety for educators.

During the protest, the Deputy Tehsildar received a memorandum submitted by school owners, which was addressed to the Chief Minister.

The memorandum demanded urgent government action to safeguard teachers and school staff across the state.

Leaders of the federation said teachers were feeling unsafe and fearful at their workplaces, and called on the government to take strict and swift action to prevent such incidents in future.

Several senior leaders of the federation were present during the protest, including state executive member Bhupendra Jain, district vice-president Vikramjeet Singh, and block heads Ghanshyam Mehta (Odhan and Baragudha), and Rajaram (Rania).

Key demands presented in the memorandum include the immediate enactment of a school safety Act to protect teachers and school staff from violence and threats.

The protesters also demanded that the deceased principal be given martyr status in recognition of his sacrifice. Additionally, they called for financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to be provided to his family, along with a government job for one family member to support them after the tragic loss.