While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is busy promoting its much-touted ‘Education Model’ in Delhi ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, a computer teacher’s hunger strike in Punjab has brought to light the stark contrast between the party’s claims and its actions on the ground. Johnny Singhla, a government computer teacher, entered the eighth day of his fast-unto-death on Sunday, demanding the AAP-led Punjab Government to pay the long-overdue salaries and address other critical concerns of the teaching staff.
Singhla’s extreme protest has garnered attention as he, alongside his fellow teachers, continues to face neglect from the State Government. His fast-unto-death began on December 22, while a relay hunger strike by other computer teachers has been ongoing for 120 days, with no significant intervention from the state authorities.
The protesting teachers, united under the banner of the Computer Adhyapak Bhukh Hartal Sangharsh Committee, have been vocal about the Punjab Government’s failure to meet their wage revision demands and provide wage parity.
One of the teachers present near Singhla’s protest site, Harpreet, expressed his concern: “Despite Johnny sir’s hunger strike entering its eighth day, not a single official has come forward to address his grievances.” The frustration among the protesting teachers is palpable, as they compare their plight to the government's swift actions to address other protests. “While Ministers visited the Khanauri border to meet fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, no effort has been made to resolve our issues,” said another teacher Gurpreet Siddhu.
The teachers’ discontent stems from the broken promises made by AAP during 2022 elections. “Ahead of the Assembly election, AAP had promised that under their government, nobody would need to agitate or climb water tanks to get their genuine demands accepted…But today, not only have our earlier wage benefits been withdrawn but our colleague has also been pushed towards fast-unto-death,” said Siddhu, reflecting the deep disappointment among the teachers.
Rohit Kansal, another protesting teacher, condemned the government’s apathy, stating, “Johnny sir was left with no option but to take this extreme step to force the government to listen. He is determined that his sacrifice will not be in vain; he wants to fight for our rights, even if it costs him his life.” Kansal criticized the government's “double-speak,” accusing them of failing to fulfill promises made during over 40 meetings with ministers.
The teachers are demanding several key issues be addressed, including the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission, a revision in dearness allowance (DA), and compensation for the families of over 100 computer teachers who have passed away during their service. Last month, the teachers had staged a dharna outside the Chief Minister’s residence, but were persuaded to move their protest after receiving assurances from State Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.
