Contract Teachers Lock Main Gate of VCs Office in Protest

Patiala, September 16:- The Punjabi University Contract Teachers Association staged a protest at the university today by holding a sit-in to press for the fulfilment of their demands. As a mark of protest, the teachers locked the main gate of the Vice-Chancellor’s office and raised slogans against the university administration.
Before the sit-in, the Vice-Chancellor also held a meeting with the contract teachers. According to the association leaders, during the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor assured the teachers that their demands would be accepted soon. However, resentment arose among the teachers as no agreement could be reached in the Syndicate regarding the implementation of court orders.
Following this, the contract teachers entered the VC’s office and locked the main office as part of their protest. During this time, security officials tried to stop the teachers. Information was also received about a scuffle between the teachers and security personnel during the protest.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Patiala also reached the spot. Representatives of the Punjabi University Contract Teachers Association submitted their memorandum to him and apprised him of the demands of the contract teachers and the prevailing situation. The Deputy Commissioner assured the teachers that all possible cooperation would be extended to them.
Addressing the sit-in, Dr. Dalvir Singh said that contract teachers have been struggling for their demands for a long time and the university administration should find a permanent solution to these demands.
Ramanpreet Singh, General Secretary of the Punjabi University Contract Teachers Association, said that the teachers had been assured during the meeting regarding their demands, but due to the lack of clear consensus in the Syndicate on implementing the court orders, the teachers were compelled to resume their struggle.
Association President Dr. Taranjit Kaur also addressed the sit-in and said that instead of keeping the demands of contract teachers pending, the issue should be resolved in accordance with court orders and the relevant rules. She said that the teachers’ struggle would continue until concrete action is taken on their demands.