Janjgir-Champa, Chhattisgarh:
Before coming to power, the BJP had promised in its manifesto — “Modi Ki
Guarantee” — to directly recruit 56,000 teachers to fill vacant posts.
However, contrary to this assurance, the newly formed government is now moving
towards shutting down nearly 10,000 schools across the state under the guise of
“mergers.” Officials claim schools are not being closed but merged — mere
wordplay, critics say. Additionally, over 40,000 teachers have been declared
surplus and forcibly transferred, raising serious concerns of administrative
overreach.
Since the announcement of the teacher rationalisation policy
by the Chhattisgarh government, it has sparked widespread unrest across the
state. While the opposition has seized upon the issue as a major point of
criticism, discontent is also simmering within the ruling party. Teachers,
feeling cornered and voiceless, are calling the move the height of
authoritarianism.
Prominent spiritual leader and Vice President of the
Panchdashnam Gurudutt Akhada, Swami Surendranath, has strongly condemned the
rationalisation drive, terming it "unrealistic" and
"oppressive." A devotee of Goddess Kali and known for his activism,
Swami Surendranath warned the government that such mistreatment of teachers
could shake the foundations of its power.
“Teachers are the cornerstone of our society. Though they
often remain invisible, they quietly shape the future. When teachers are
persecuted, the government’s throne begins to tremble,” he said. Citing ancient
scriptures that equate teachers with divine entities — Guru Brahma, Guru
Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara — Swami Surendranath expressed anguish that
the same gurus are being tormented in Chhattisgarh today.
Over 40,000 teachers have reportedly been affected by this
policy, many of whom were transferred without due process. “Lists were prepared
overnight, released the next morning, and teachers were summoned for counseling
only to be transferred 150 kilometers away from their homes without being given
an opportunity to voice objections,” he added. "How is this not
administrative bullying?"
Neglect of Rules and Widespread Arbitrary Actions
Swami Surendranath criticized the implementation of the
rationalisation process, calling it one-sided, discriminatory, and oppressive.
He alleged that field-level officers are interpreting government orders
differently, resulting in inconsistency in transfer lists. Many teachers have
been wrongly labeled as surplus and forced to relocate, prompting several to
seek legal intervention. The emotional and financial toll on teachers and their
families has been significant.
He pointed out that a rationalisation drive in 2014 was
carried out with greater sensitivity, ensuring transfers occurred only within
the same district. Yet, in Janjgir-Champa, 109 teachers were shifted out
despite 109 vacant positions being available within the district.
"Tyrannical" Order by Nawagarh BEO
Swami Surendranath also lashed out at the Block Education
Officer (BEO) of Nawagarh for allegedly bypassing rules. He noted that while
counseling was held on June 7 and teachers were instructed to relieve
themselves within three days, the BEO began issuing unilateral relieving orders
as early as June 10 — a day before the deadline. “Such haste, when other blocks
have not taken similar actions, smacks of dictatorial behavior,” he said.
He further reminded authorities that several of these cases
are currently under consideration in the High Court, and stay orders are being
granted to affected teachers. Issuing premature relieving orders despite the
pending legal process is not just unjust, but also undermines judicial
authority.
Swami Surendranath concluded by warning that if the
government continues to disregard the voices of teachers and allow
administrative tyranny to prevail, it may face severe backlash in the future.
“Senior bureaucrats are misleading the Chief Minister with skewed data on
paper, ignoring the real impact on the ground. Discontent is growing, and the
government must act before it’s too late.”