Teacher unions in Punjab staged a strong protest on Sunday, demanding substantial compensation for a couple who lost their lives while traveling for election duty. The unions organized an "Insaaf rally" at Moga Grain Mandi, exactly one month after the tragic deaths of teacher couple Jaskaran Singh and his wife Kamaljit Kaur.
Demand for Justice and Compensation
The protesting teachers are calling for the Punjab government to provide Rs 4 crore in compensation. They want Rs 2 crore each for the families of the deceased couple. This demand comes in response to what they describe as inadequate compensation previously announced by the authorities.
Criticism of Government Response
During the rally, teachers raised slogans against the AAP-led state government. They specifically blocked the Ferozepur-Moga national highway to draw attention to their cause. The protesters labeled the government's offer of Rs 10 lakh each as "nothing but a cruel joke." They argued that this amount fails to address the gravity of the situation.
The teachers attributed the couple's death to poor election management. They emphasized that the tragic incident highlights systemic issues in how election duties are assigned and managed.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Jaskaran Singh and Kamaljit Kaur died on December 14 last year. They met with an accident while traveling to fulfill their election duty for the Punjab Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls. The couple hailed from Moga district, and their untimely death has sparked widespread outrage among the teaching community.
Union Leaders Voice Their Concerns
Vikram Dev and Digvijay Pal Sharma, leaders of separate factions within the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), spoke at the rally. They declared, "The struggle against the insensitive and biased attitude towards the teacher couple will continue until the deceased teachers get justice." Their statement underscored the unions' determination to fight for what they see as fair treatment.
The leaders also demanded an immediate halt to all non-educational work assigned to teachers. This includes election-related duties, which they believe put educators at unnecessary risk.
Broader Issues with Election Duty Assignments
Another teacher leader, Jasvir Talwara, highlighted ongoing problems with how duties are allocated. He pointed out that despite repeated requests to the State Election Commission, teachers are often assigned to distant locations. This practice forces them to travel long distances, sometimes in hazardous conditions.
Talwara explained that the foggy weather in Punjab exacerbates these risks. Teachers and other employees must navigate dangerous roads to reach their assigned polling stations, endangering themselves and their families.
Additional Incident on the Same Day
On the same day that the Moga couple died, another teacher faced a similar fate. Rajvir Kaur from Sangrur district suffered serious injuries in a comparable accident while traveling for election duty. She is still undergoing treatment, highlighting that the issue extends beyond a single tragic event.
Specific Demands from the Unions
The teacher unions have outlined clear demands in their statement. They insist on the immediate release of Rs 2 crore each for the families of Jaskaran Singh and Kamaljit Kaur. Additionally, they want a written promise from the government regarding the future of the couple's children.
The unions are asking for a guarantee that the children will receive government jobs once they complete their education. Until that time, they demand that the government cover all educational expenses, including postgraduate studies.
Resolution of the Protest
The protest rally concluded after the Moga administration intervened. Officials assured the teachers that Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains would meet with them on January 27 in Chandigarh. Following this assurance, the unions cleared the highway and ended their demonstration.
However, the teacher leaders made it clear that their fight is far from over. They vowed to continue pushing for justice and better working conditions for all educators in Punjab.
