Teacher associations in Punjab's Moga district have intensified their protest, firmly rejecting the state government's offered compensation for a teacher couple who tragically died while on election duty. The educators are demanding a significantly higher ex gratia amount and concrete future assurances for the couple's orphaned children.
Protests Escalate Over Inadequate Compensation
Following an initial protest in Dhurkot Ransih village, members of various teachers' associations gathered in Khote village on Monday to voice their collective anger. They held a solemn candle march and publicly rejected the ex gratia compensation of only Rs 10 lakh announced for the deceased couple. The teachers have put forth a demand for Rs 2 crore compensation for each of the deceased, alongside written assurances from the government for free education and future government jobs for their two children.
Tragic Accident Claims Lives on Duty
The unfortunate incident occurred on December 14. The couple, identified as Jaskaran Singh (47) and Kamaljit Kaur (45), residents of Dhurkot Ransih, were on their way to election duty assignments. Kamaljit Kaur was headed to join her duty at Mari Mustafa village in Moga district. Her husband, Jaskaran Singh, was driving her there when their car met with a fatal accident, plunging into a drain. Both lost their lives by drowning.
The couple leaves behind their two young children: a 14-year-old daughter studying in Class IX and an 11-year-old son in Class VI. Jaskaran Singh was posted as a teacher in Khote village, while Kamaljit Kaur was posted at Patto Hira Singh village.
Associations Blame Systemic Failures
The Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), leading the protest, has attributed the tragedy to systemic failures. Leaders have pointed fingers at the faulty road network and the practice of posting women teachers to election duties far from their hometowns as primary reasons behind the fatal accident.
DTF state leaders have also expressed severe discontent with the attitude of the state government and the local MLA, Manjit Singh Bilaspur. They allege a profound indifference, stating that neither the district administration nor the MLA has made sufficient effort to convey the grieving family's legitimate demands to the higher authorities in the government.
Struggle for Justice to Continue
The protest movement is gaining momentum. After the first candle march held in the couple's home village of Dhurkot Ransih on December 27, and the subsequent one in Khote village, another march is planned. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for December 31 at Patto Hira Singh village, where Kamaljit Kaur was posted.
The teachers' associations have vowed to continue their struggle until justice is delivered. Their demands are clear: substantial financial compensation and a secure future for the children left behind. They assert that the current offer is insufficient and fails to address the loss suffered due to a duty mandated by the state.
