Bathinda-Teachers’ Day is meant to honour educators who shape the future of society. Yet, in Bathinda, the occasion took a deeply disturbing turn when teachers and professors protesting for long-pending demands were allegedly met with police force after displaying black flags. Their demands reportedly included Dearness Allowance (DA), restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), pay hikes and regularisation of services—issues directly linked to their financial security and professional dignity.
The sight of educators being confronted with police lathis on a day dedicated to respecting teachers raises serious questions about the Punjab government’s approach to democratic dissent. Teachers are not criminals for demanding their legitimate rights. Wearing or displaying black flags is a recognised form of peaceful protest, and such expression should not automatically invite physical force from the state.
The government may disagree with the demands, but disagreement cannot become a justification for repression. Dialogue, negotiation and a time-bound roadmap should be the first response to employees raising genuine grievances, not barricades, detentions or alleged use of force. A government that speaks of transforming education must also demonstrate respect for the people who actually run its schools and colleges.
The Bathinda episode should therefore not be viewed merely as another protest-management issue. It is a question of how a democratic government treats its teachers. If those entrusted with educating Punjab’s children feel compelled to take to the streets year after year for DA, pension security, better pay and regularisation, the government must examine why these grievances remain unresolved.
Respect teachers, listen to teachers and negotiate with teachers do not repress them. On Teachers’ Day, Punjab needed to send a message of dignity and dialogue. The use of police force against protesting educators, if established, sends exactly the opposite message.