Chandigarh/Patiala: The Education Department of Punjab government yesterday (Jan. 15) terminated the services of five leaders of the Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha for participating in a protest last year. As per reports the Education Department has terminated services of SAM convener Hardeep Toderpur, Bharat Kumar, Harjeet Singh, Harvinder Singh and Didar Singh Mudki.
A report in the The Tribune (TT) notes: “[a]s per the order, the teachers were terminated from service for participating in an indefinite strike in Patiala”.
Students and staff protest the sacking of union leader Hardeep Toderpur in front of Government Senior Secondary School at Kakarala village, near Patiala, on Tuesday. Photo Courtesy: Tribune/Rajesh Sachar
According to the report, the order notes that the teachers had (allegedly) misinformed their respective District Education Officers by mentioning false reasons for their emergency leave.
The move came two days after the Morcha restarted its protest over the lackadaisical approach of the government in fulfilling the promises reportedly made by Education Minister OP Soni on December 1.
On the other hand the Education department says that the teachers were given show-cause notice, but they couldn’t defend their participation in the protest. The action had been taken on the report submitted by the DEOs concerned, it said.
Meanwhile, the Morcha members and the SSA/RMSA teachers held a protest march in Patiala. They announced to stir up the protests.