ETT Teachers' Massive Protest Paralyzes Jalandhar's BMC Chowk
In a dramatic escalation of their statewide agitation, educators from the Elementary Teacher Training (ETT), Masters, and Lecturer cadres brought traffic to a standstill at BMC Chowk in Jalandhar on Saturday. The protest, organized under the banner of the Sikhya Vibhag Sangharsh Committee Punjab, saw hundreds of teachers marching towards the residence of Punjab Minister Mohinder Bhagat, leading to a tense confrontation with police forces.
Police Intervention and Traffic Disruption
A heavy police deployment was stationed outside Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall, where the protest initially gathered. Police buses were strategically parked across the road, effectively blocking not only the protesting teachers but also general traffic at the busy intersections of BMC Chowk and Namdev Chowk. The road remained completely blocked for approximately one hour and fifty minutes during the afternoon, causing significant disruption to daily commuters and local businesses.
When teachers attempted to proceed towards Minister Bhagat's house in Urban Estate, police intervention at BMC Chowk led to a face-off. Subsequently, protesters staged a sit-in at the intersection from around 2:30 PM to nearly 4:00 PM, further exacerbating traffic chaos in the area.
Core Demands: TET Condition and Pay Commission
At the heart of the protest lies strong opposition to the imposition of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) condition on in-service teachers. Protesters have labeled this requirement as unjust, humiliating, and damaging to the dignity of experienced educators. They argue that it undermines decades of dedicated service, calling it an insult to service record and merit earned over years, and are demanding its immediate withdrawal.
Alongside this, the unions presented a comprehensive list of demands:
- Immediate implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission
- Release of long-pending 16% dearness allowance
- Restoration of rural, border, and disability allowances
- Correction of anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission
- Regularization of contractual employees with full service benefits
Broader Education Crisis and Administrative Neglect
Teachers highlighted what they described as a deepening crisis in Punjab's education system due to prolonged administrative neglect. Key issues raised include:
- Stalled promotions affecting career progression
- Non-payment of various allowances causing financial hardship
- Increasing non-teaching assignments such as election duties
- Extensive online administrative work pulling educators away from classrooms
According to union representatives, these additional responsibilities are systematically eroding the quality of school education by diverting teachers' focus from their primary teaching duties.
Union Leadership and Resolution
Harbans Lal, district head of the Master Cadres Teachers Union, explained that the march was halted after police cited traffic disruption concerns, forcing protesters to hold their sit-in on the spot. The demonstration was eventually called off after union leaders received confirmation of a meeting with Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains scheduled for March 30 at 11:30 AM in Chandigarh.
The protest witnessed participation from multiple teacher unions including the Elementary Teachers Union, Master Cadres Union, Lecturer Cadres Union, and Ministerial Staff Association. Educators raised slogans and held placards accusing the government of implementing policies that are financially unjust and eroding professional autonomy across the state's education sector.
This incident marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle between Punjab's teaching community and state authorities, with implications for education policy and teacher welfare across the region.
