Computer teachers to fast unto death from Dec 22 over unfulfilled promises

Punjab’s computer teachers have intensified their fight for their rights, announcing a fast unto death, beginning December 22. The announcement was made during a meeting of the Hunger Strike Struggle Committee at Punjabi Bhawan, Ludhiana. The meeting was attended by Joni Singla, Rajwant Kaur, Gurbakhsh Lal, Dishkaran Kaur, Rakesh Saini, Nardeep Sharma, district president Jaswinder Singh, Narinder Kumar, Bavleen Bedi, Gurpreet Kaur, Ranjan Bhanot, Naveen Srivastava, Dharminder Singh, Harjinder Singh, Varinder Singh, Arun Sharma, Sunit Sareen, among others.

During the meeting, the teachers highlighted that in 2011, the then-government had regularised their services under the ‘PICTES Society,’ but they were denied benefits equivalent to regular employees. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, they alleged, had also ignored their demands for justice and failed to fulfill its pre-election promises. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains had assured the teachers of reinstating all benefits, but even after three years, those promises remained unfulfilled.

Step taken after 92

days of hunger strike

The ongoing hunger strike in Sangrur has now crossed 92 days, but no government representative has approached the teachers. Disheartened by the neglect, the teachers have decided to begin a fast unto death from December 22. In the first phase, Joni Singla (Bathinda), Ranjit Singh (Patiala), Udham Singh Dogra (Hoshiarpur), Ravinder Kaur (Fatehgarh Sahib), and Seema Rani (Patiala) will undertake the fast, with new teachers joining daily thereafter.

The teachers clarified that their demands were not new. They were seeking the implementation of benefits recorded in their regularisation orders, including the Sixth Pay Commission benefits, without conditions or delays, and their integration into the Education Department.

Major farm organisations to join rally on Dec 14

The teachers announced a large-scale, state-level rally in Sangrur on December 14. The protesters will participate with their families, and prominent farmer organisations and social groups have pledged their support. Known for their powerful movements in Punjab, farmer unions have confirmed their presence at the rally, which aims to build pressure on the government.

This rally is expected to garner broad support for the teachers’ struggle.