Nawanshahr- Computer teachers teaching in government schools across the state are on hunger strike since September 1 for their legitimate demands. After 114 days, it was decided to convert the hunger strike into fast unto death. As per the announcement of the Computer Teacher Hunger Strike Struggle Committee, Johnny Singla will sit on hunger strike in Sangrur on December 22 and every day a large number of computer teachers from across Punjab will join this struggle. By becoming a part of this, they will raise their voice for their legitimate demands and tell the stories of the treatment meted out to them by the government.
Not only this, as long as their struggle continues, protests will continue against the state government across the state. Leaders of Computer Teacher Hunger Strike Struggle Committee Punjab, Paramvir Singh Pammi, Johnny Singla, Pradeep Kumar Maluka, Rajwant Kaur, Ranjit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Gurbakhsh Lal, Jaspal, Udham Singh Dogra, Bavleen Bedi, Suneet Sareen, Sumit Goyal, Dr. Rajni, Dharminder Singh, Narendra Kumar, Rakesh Saini, Sushil Angural, Priyanka Bisht, Manjit Kaur, Karamjit Puri, Gagandeep Singh, Jaswinder Singh Ludhiana, Lakhvir Singh, Bhupinder Singh Bhatoa, Amarjit Shabhas Nagar, Nardeep Sharma Sangrur, Nayab Singh Bukhanwal, Navjot Singh, Harpreet Sahnewal said that the campaign has been going on since September 1.
In this hunger strike, computer teachers from all over the state participated in various struggles during the last 114 days. Many nights were spent in front of the Chief Minister's residence in the harsh winter, but due to the indifferent attitude of the state government towards computer teachers, now computer teachers are forced to go on a fast unto death. A decision had to be taken to implement it.
The computer teacher leaders further said that the Punjab government is continuously ignoring their legitimate demands. A policy of procrastination is being adopted. About 4 dozen meetings have been held with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. Even after that the situation is like 'Dhak De Teen'. He told that on September 15, 2022, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains had announced to give them a 'Diwali gift' on the occasion of Diwali that year, fulfilling all their demands. But even after going bankrupt three times, his announcement has proved to be just an election slogan.
Similarly, during the meeting held on November 5, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema had assured to release the withheld Dearness Allowance (DA) and take action within 2 days regarding other demands, but even after one and a half months, their hands are empty and they are feeling cheated. The teachers' leaders warned the state government that they have been working in this manner for the last 19 years. They are on the path of struggle for their rights. The Aam Aadmi Party government, which came to power by giving the slogan of change, is also following the footsteps of the previous governments. Their legitimate rights are being violated before leaving, which will not be tolerated at any cost.
They clarified that till all their demands are not met, including giving 6th grade salary to computer teachers, giving them the benefits of the Pay Commission and restoring all the benefits recorded in their regular orders, they died due to government job while providing financial assistance to their families. If their demands are not met, they will continue their struggle, even if they have to risk their lives for this.