Anger has erupted in Punjab's teaching community following the state government's announcement of what they deem as inadequate compensation for a teacher couple who tragically died while on election duty. The government's offer of Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia each has been met with strong rejection, leading to protests and candlelight marches demanding justice and significantly higher support for the bereaved family.
Candlelight Marches and Escalating Protests
The first wave of protest was seen on Saturday, December 23, when members of various teacher associations held a solemn candle march at Dhurkot Ransih village in Moga district. This village was the home of the deceased couple, Jaskaran Singh (47) and Kamaljit Kaur (45). The march was a direct response to the compensation announced by Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan just days earlier, on Wednesday.
The protesting teachers have declared the compensation amount insultingly low and have planned further demonstrations to amplify their demands. Two more candle marches are scheduled: one on December 29 at Khote village, where Jaskaran Singh was posted, and another on December 31 at Patto Hira Singh village, the posting of Kamaljit Kaur.
The Tragic Accident and Core Demands
The incident that sparked this outcry occurred on December 14. Kamaljit Kaur was on her way to join election duty at Mari Mustafa village in Moga district. Her husband, Jaskaran Singh, was driving her to the location when their car met with a fatal accident, plunging into a drain. Both teachers died from drowning.
The couple leaves behind two young children: a 14-year-old daughter in Class IX and an 11-year-old son in Class VI. It is their future that forms the crux of the teachers' demands, spearheaded by the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF). The associations are not just seeking monetary compensation but comprehensive state support for the orphaned children.
Rejection of Government Offer and Future Course
During a memorial service (bhog) held for the couple in their village, the DTF and other groups formally put forward their demands. They have outrightly rejected the Rs 10 lakh each compensation announced by the Speaker. Instead, they are demanding a substantial ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 crore for each deceased teacher.
Beyond the financial aid, the teacher associations have presented two critical non-monetary demands to the Punjab government:
- The government must ensure the complete education of both children.
- The government must provide a written assurance that both children will be given suitable jobs upon completing their studies and reaching adulthood.
The protesters argue that the tragic loss of lives was not merely an accident but a consequence of systemic failures. They point to the faulty road network that led to the crash and criticize the administrative practice of assigning women teachers to election duties far from their hometowns, which they claim puts them at risk. The teacher associations have vowed to continue and intensify their protests until the state government agrees to meet their demands for higher compensation and justice for the family.
