The unemployed teachers, protesting outside the residence of Punjab Education Minister Pargat Singh in Jalandhar, on Monday stormed into the Congress leader’s private residence. Responding, Pargat Singh called it a failure of police machinery.
“This is not fair as the teachers union have barged into my residence that too at a time when I was busy deliberating upon ways and means to solve their pending problems,” said the Minister.
The protesting teachers were engaged in a brief scuffle with the police, after which the protestors crossed the barricades and stormed into the Minister’s house.
The unemployed teachers, demanding employment in the Education Department, have already staged hunger strikes outside Pargat Singh’s house. Teachers claimed that they are fully qualified for jobs, however, the Government is reluctant to provide them with job opportunities.
Protesting teachers have also threatened the State Government of consequences if their demands are not met.
Meanwhile, the Minister has condemned the protestors storming into his residence, asserting that he has already met union leaders at least five times. “I have already met these agitating teachers countless times and directed the department to look into their genuine demands sympathetically,” said Pargat Singh.
He went on to say that, “This irresponsible behaviour on part of teachers due to which huge inconvenience has been caused not only to my aged and ailing parents but also to several people residing in the area is highly unfortunate. I condemn this inhuman act by teachers and urge them to refrain from this in future as it doesn’t behove them.”
“If someone goes inside the Minister’s house, it is a direct failure of the police,” he added.
Soon after the incident came to the Minister's notice, Jalandhar Police swung into action and immediately drove out the protesting teachers. It has been learnt that the protestors have been invited for talks on November 17.