Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], January 22 (HBTV): Police detained a group of assistant teachers protesting against their termination in Raipur, a senior police officer stated on Sunday.

The protest followed the Chhattisgarh government’s decision to terminate over 2,800 primary school teachers with B.Ed degrees. This decision aligns with an April 2024 ruling by the Chhattisgarh High Court, which deemed B.Ed holders ineligible for primary teacher positions, reserving these roles for candidates with a Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).

City Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Yadav told ANI, ‘These B.Ed candidates were protesting against their termination. They were asked to carry out their protest legally. Despite having no permission to sit and protest here, they blocked the road. They were requested for about 10 hours to vacate the way since the entire city was facing troubles.’

The prolonged roadblock on Telibandha Road caused significant disruptions, prompting police action to clear the area. According to Yadav, the protestors were removed following orders from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).

Earlier, assistant teachers with B.Ed qualifications organized protests demanding job security. Some male teachers shaved their heads, while female teachers cut their hair as a mark of protest.

One protestor expressed frustration, stating, ‘We were just asking for our rights. Why are we being punished for this?’ Another protestor added, ‘Our children have been protesting for a month, and now we, as parents, are here. But the authorities are treating us like criminals. We are neither thieves nor Naxalites; we are parents of teachers.’

The Chhattisgarh High Court’s April 2 judgment declared that B.Ed holders, who had been employed as government teachers for the past 15 months, were ineligible for primary teaching posts.

(ANI)