1,158 Assistant Professors deserve justice, says Pargat

All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh on Friday held a demonstration, along with the 1,158 Assistant Professors and the Librarian Front Punjab, at PAP Chowk here this evening. He condemned the AAP government’s negligence and declared that Punjab’s future torchbearers must be given justice without delay.

“They are not agitators, they are Punjab’s future torchbearers. They are the very backbone of our higher education system. If there were any shortcomings in the recruitment process, I hold myself accountable, because it was under my tenure as the Education Minister that this transparent, merit-based recruitment was held after 25 years. But why should these professors pay the price for political apathy?” Pargat said.

While noting that the educators’ demands were simple and just, he said, “They are only asking the government to fulfil its promise —legal support, a review petition in the Supreme Court, and an ordinance if required — to secure their placements. If these professors and librarians are denied their rightful positions, the future of Punjab’s students will be the real casualty.”

Notably, the Supreme Court in its decision on July 14 last had quashed the appointments of 1,158 Assistant Professors and Librarians. However, a petition was filed in the SC as removal of the professors was seen as a potential disruption to education in the government colleges of the state.

Pargat Singh urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to hold direct talks with the protesting educators. He said “This is not a criminal lot, but an educated one. They deserve respect, not mistreatment. I will personally appeal to the CM to meet them. I too will raise this issue forcefully in the Vidhan Sabha.”

He said education was the foundation of Punjab’s future. “A government that disrespects its teachers disrespects Punjab’s tomorrow. If the CM ensures their appointments, I will personally thank him. The Congress stands firmly with Punjab’s educators and will fight for their dignity, justice, and rightful place in classrooms,” Pargat Singh said.