Extension Lecturers Arrested For Peaceful Protest Demanding Haryana Govt. Regularization
On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Extension Lecturers employed in various government colleges across Haryana had planned a massive protest and protest march in Panchkula to voice their demands. However, the government and Panchkula administration took drastic measures to prevent the peaceful protest from taking place. Despite the lecturers' prior communication with the Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula regarding their protest in Sector 5, preparations that had been underway for several days were abruptly halted. The government's heavy-handed approach resulted in thousands of extension lecturers and their families being prevented from gathering in Sector 5 Panchkula.
Hundreds of lecturers were forcibly loaded onto buses and transported to distant locations away from the city. In defiance, those who managed to escape arrest gathered in a park near Mata Mansa Devi temple, where they raised slogans against the ruling government.
Also Read: Haryana Extension Lecturer Welfare Association's Protest Against The Government Is Set For October 2
Dr. Charan Singh Grover, speaking on behalf of the extension lecturers, highlighted that there are approximately 2000 extension lecturers in government colleges in Haryana, with around 1200 of them being women. He pointed out that these lecturers had been working on meager honorariums ranging from 150 to 250 rupees per lecture from 2010 to 2017. They had even supported the government during times of crisis. However, when they sought their legitimate rights, the government only offered assurances. Dr. Grover emphasized that extension lecturers had saved the government's budget by working for minimal pay. He added that now, approximately 40 percent of the working extension lecturers were unable to apply for regular government jobs due to age restrictions.
Dr. Sumer Singh noted that governments in Haryana and other states had historically regularized contractual employees, and the current government should do the same for extension lecturers. Dr. Ishwar Singh stressed that extension lecturers educated approximately 6 lakh students in government colleges across Haryana, and they all held valid qualifications. He urged the government to promptly address their demands.
Dr. Saroj Dahiya emphasized that extension lecturers had been recruited through merit-based interviews, and the government should fulfill their demands promptly, aligning with the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" (Save Daughters, Educate Daughters) initiative. Their demands included regularization, payment of arrears from January 2016 to 2019, and state-level seniority.
Representing the administration, ACP Ram Kumar intervened and informed the lecturers that a delegation would meet with Chief Principal Secretary Rajesh Khullar on October 3 to discuss their concerns. The gathering included numerous individuals, including Jyoti Yadav, Basau Ram Sodhi, Tanjhum, Atma Ram, Saroj, and Rampal.
