By Amrit Pal Sidhu @Babushahi Network
Bathinda, 10 Septembers
The simmering discontent among contract teachers of Punjabi University boiled over on Wednesday as contract Assistant Professors responding to the call of the Punjabi University Contract Teachers Association (PUCTA) locked the main gate of the Guru Kashi Campus Talwandi Sabo and staged a forceful protest demanding justice for their long pending demands.
In a powerful display of unity and determination, the contract assistant professors of Punjabi University, under the banner of the Punjabi University Contract Teachers Association (PUKTA), took a decisive stand on Wednesday. Shutting down the main gate of Guru Kashi Campus in Talwandi Sabo, the educators highlighted their ongoing struggle to have their demands met by the university administration. This protest not only brought attention to their cause but also effectively caused a complete lockdown across the main campus, regional centers, neighborhood campuses, and constituent colleges of the university.
This protest is not an isolated event but rather a continuation of peaceful demonstrations that have been ongoing since August 18. The association leader, Dr. Manminder Kaur, expressed frustration over the lack of concrete action from the administration, despite their persistent efforts. The decision to escalate to a campus shutdown was made in hopes of intensifying their struggle and pushing for a resolution.
Dr. Baldev Singh, addressing the gathered protesters, pointed out a critical issue that weakens their fight: the division of teachers and staff into categories such as regular, contract, guest, and PTA (Parent-Teacher Association). This division, he argued, dilutes their collective bargaining power and undermines their common rights.
Guest faculty member Gurmeet Singh highlighted the discrimination faced by contract, guest, and PTA teachers. He emphasized that these educators are often deprived of even basic facilities, which further exacerbates their challenges.
Among the key demands is the call for contract assistant professors to receive full pay scales as per UGC regulations from 2010 and 2018, as voiced by Dr. Amandeep Kaur. Additionally, Professor Gaganpreet Singh demanded the immediate implementation of court decisions that could potentially benefit the teachers' cause.
The protest also brought to light concerns about alleged misconduct towards teachers. Professor Lakhbir Singh called for a high-level inquiry into incidents of misbehavior reported on September 7.
What stands out in this struggle is the solidarity shown by various stakeholders within the university community. Regular teachers, non-teaching staff, guest faculty, PTA teachers, and students have all rallied in support of the contract teachers' cause. This collective backing underscores the shared understanding of the importance of fair treatment and equitable rights for all educators.
The leaders of this movement have issued a stern warning: if their demands are not addressed promptly, they will intensify their struggle further. The situation at Punjabi University is a microcosm of broader issues faced by educators worldwide—issues of equity, fair compensation, and respect within academic institutions.
Supporting the teachers struggle, Dharmveer Kaur President of the Malwa Students Organisation of India (SOI) said “The contract teachers at Punjabi University are not just fighting for themselves; they are advocating for a fairer system that recognizes and rewards the invaluable contributions of all educators. Their struggle is one that resonates far beyond the gates of their campus, echoing in educational institutions across the globe”.