Patiala, September 5:- The agitation launched by the contract assistant professors of Punjabi University, Patiala, regarding their long-pending legitimate demands entered its 19th day today. On the occasion of 'Teachers' Day' celebrated across the country on September 5, all teachers observed the day as a 'Black Day' (Protest Day) to protest against the stubborn attitude of the university administration and the government, and to demand the implementation of UGC Regulations in letter and spirit.
As part of this protest, contract assistant professors across the main university campus as well as all 13 constituent colleges observed a complete 'Black Day' by wearing black clothes, carrying black flags, and wearing black badges.
Addressing the protest, Dr. Taranjit Kaur, President of the Punjabi Contract Teachers Association, highlighted the mental, financial, and social agony endured by the contract assistant professors for the last 15 to 20 years. She said that despite being fully qualified for over a decade and a half, these teachers have been living under the shadow of nominal salaries and an insecure future.
She emphasized that the university administration is flouting UGC norms and demanded the immediate implementation, in letter and spirit, of the judgment and orders passed by the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court in Civil Writ Petition No. CWP 21780-2022 (Rajan Goyal vs. Punjabi University, Patiala & Others).
On this occasion, Prof. Surinder Singh, senior leader of the association, issued a stern warning to the university administration, announcing that if the legitimate demands of the teachers are not resolved by coming Tuesday, the agitation will be further intensified, and all 13 constituent colleges, neighborhood campuses, and regional centers under the university will be completely shut down.
He stated that if such a situation arises, the university administration will be solely responsible for the disruption to students' studies and the resulting conditions on the campuses.
During today's protest, teachers from the university's main campus, all 13 constituent colleges, and neighborhood campuses strongly raised their voices against the indifferent attitude of the administration through social media and traditional media.