In a strong show of unity and defiance, assistant professors and librarians across Punjab took to the streets to protest against what they called the “symbolic limitation” of their regular services till February 17, 2026, and the unconstitutional curtailment of maternity and other leave entitlements. Responding to a call from the 1158 Assistant Professors and Librarians Front, the educators marched from Government Ranbir College, Sangrur, and publicly burned copies of the controversial letter issued by the Department of Higher Education.
Speaking during the protest, Prof. Pritpal Singh condemned the Higher Education Department’s letter, describing it as an arbitrary and non-political attempt to undermine the dignity and job security of 1158 regular faculty members. “The department’s symbolic limitation of our services till February 17 has no basis in law. Nowhere has the Hon’ble Supreme Court issued any such directive,” he said, adding that such unilateral administrative actions reflect the government’s disregard for both the Constitution and the teaching community.
He further expressed outrage that the maternity leave of women professors—previously guaranteed at 180 days—has been reduced and restricted till February 17, 2026, a move he termed as “not only unconstitutional but also inhumane.” “Depriving women educators of their rightful maternity benefits is an affront to gender justice and human rights,” Prof. Singh said.
The letter, he alleged, also places arbitrary bans on higher study leave, medical leave, and even leave without pay, in direct violation of the Punjab Civil Services Rules. “This is a gross violation of service rights and an assault on the autonomy and dignity of educators. The government’s attempt to impose such restrictions amounts to moral and professional humiliation,” he added.
Echoing these sentiments, Prof. Avtar Singh declared that the Front will intensify its agitation to expose what he described as the “anti-education and anti-employee face of the Punjab government.” “On November 9, we will gherao the residence of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains to demand an immediate withdrawal of this ill-considered and illegal decree,” he announced amid slogans of solidarity and justice.
Meanwhile, Prof. Jagmeet Singh extended the protest’s scope by condemning the Central Government’s recent attempt to dissolve the Senate of Panjab University, Chandigarh, terming it another attack on democratic institutions and the educational rights of Punjab.
The demonstrators reaffirmed their commitment to continue the peaceful struggle until the government withdraws the contentious letter and restores full service rights to all 1158 affected professors and librarians. They vowed that any effort to suppress the teaching community would be met with a united and determined resistance across the state.
The protest, marked by passion and purpose, signaled that Punjab’s educators are no longer willing to tolerate bureaucratic high-handedness or political interference in academic affairs. As one protester said, “Teachers shape the future of the state. If the government continues to demoralize them, it is not just an attack on teachers—it’s an attack on education itself.”