Police Lathi Charge on Guest Teachers Sparks Outrage in Yamunanagar, Haryana

Representative Picture

December 31, 2023

In a shocking turn of events on the final day of 2023, guest teachers in Yamunanagar, Haryana, found themselves at the receiving end of a police lathi charge while engaging in a peaceful protest in front of the Mini Secretariat. The teachers, who were advocating for their regularisation and additional facilities, had initially secured permission from the authorities to stage their demonstration near Gupta Palace. However, a controversial redirection allegedly took place, leading them to the grain market where the confrontation with law enforcement unfolded.

Tensions reached a boiling point when the guest teachers, with years of dedicated service, were en route to Education Minister Kanwarpal Gurjar's residence on a Sunday. Police intervention at this juncture sparked an escalation in protests, ultimately resulting in a forceful lathi charge. Shockingly, over 20 teachers sustained severe injuries, necessitating their admission to various local hospitals for urgent medical attention.

The teachers asserted that, despite a prior meeting with Cabinet Minister Kanwarpal Gurjar a month ago, where assurances were made that their concerns would be communicated to the Chief Minister, no tangible progress had been witnessed. Frustrated by the lack of response, they resorted to renewed protests, only to be met with alleged mistreatment by the police, despite having official permission from the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Commissioner (DC).

Responding to the incident, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala vehemently condemned the lathi charge, characterising it as an authoritarian act. He stressed the necessity for the government to initiate a constructive dialogue with the teachers rather than resorting to coercive measures. Surjewala criticised the BJP-JJP government, asserting that wielding lathis would not divert public attention from the substantive issues at hand. He predicted that the disgruntled public would express their discontent in the imminent elections, underscoring the potential electoral repercussions of such heavy-handed tactics.