YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly criticised Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu over the suspension of five teachers who approached the Centre seeking exemption from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirement.
Jagan alleged that the government was acting vindictively against teachers and said that more than one lakh senior teachers were facing difficulties because of the TET rule. He questioned the decision to suspend the teachers after they submitted a representation to the Central government along with MPs, seeking relief from the requirement.
“Will you act so vindictively against teachers? Your Red Book authoritarian jungle raj is not even sparing teachers,” Jagan said, sharply attacking the Chandrababu-led government.
TET Rule Causing Problems for Over One Lakh Teachers
According to Jagan, more than one lakh senior teachers are facing difficulties because of the TET requirement. He questioned whether seeking exemption from the rule could be considered a mistake by the teachers.
Jagan said that when the state government failed to address their concerns, the teachers approached the Central government with the support of MPs. He questioned whether submitting a representation to the Centre itself amounted to an offence.
He also asked why the state government was not taking the initiative to request the Centre to reconsider the TET requirement if the issue was affecting such a large number of teachers.
Jagan alleged that instead of resolving the issue, the government was branding teachers’ efforts as political activity and taking disciplinary action against them.
Jagan Condemns Suspension of Five Teachers
Jagan strongly objected to the suspension of five teachers who approached the Centre seeking exemption from the TET requirement.
He demanded that the suspensions be withdrawn immediately and called upon the government to apologise to the teachers and correct what he described as a wrong decision.
Jagan also said that the YSRCP would extend full legal support to the suspended teachers and stand by anyone who raises their voice against injustice.
Jagan Targets Chandrababu Over ‘Red Book’ Politics
Reacting to the action against the teachers, Jagan launched a strong attack on the Chandrababu government.
He alleged that the government’s “Red Book” approach had now extended to teachers as well. Jagan questioned whether employees should be punished simply for raising issues concerning their legitimate rights.
He said people were observing the manner in which the government was allegedly using its authority against employees and teachers.
Jagan Questions Government Over Employee Promises
Jagan also raised broader concerns over the implementation of promises made to government employees.
He alleged that several commitments made to employees during the elections had not been fulfilled. Referring to issues such as Interim Relief (IR), Pay Revision Commission (PRC) and pending Dearness Allowances (DA), he said employees were still waiting for their long-pending benefits.
Jagan also referred to the issues surrounding the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and Old Pension Scheme (OPS), alleging that employees had been left in uncertainty over the government’s position.
He further claimed that employee-related dues were pending to the tune of around ₹35,000 crore to ₹40,000 crore.
‘Are Suspensions the Reward for Employees Waiting for Their Dues?’
Jagan questioned why the government was taking disciplinary action against employees while allegedly failing to clear their pending dues.
He alleged that employees were waiting for money legitimately owed to them, while the government was instead giving them suspensions as a “reward” for raising their concerns.
Jagan demanded that the government focus on resolving employee grievances rather than attempting to silence those who question its decisions.
‘Is It Wrong for Teachers to Do What the Government Failed to Do?’
Jagan said senior teachers affected by the TET requirement had every right to seek a solution to their problem.
He argued that since the issue involved a matter under the Centre’s purview, the state government should have taken the initiative to approach the Central government.
“Is it a crime to submit a representation to the Central government along with MPs who are supporting them?” Jagan questioned.
He urged the government to look at the teachers’ demand from an administrative perspective rather than treating it as a political issue.
Questions Over Employee Anger and Pending Demands
Jagan once again highlighted issues concerning IR, PRC, DA, CPS and OPS while questioning the government’s handling of employee grievances.
He alleged that employees were already frustrated because several demands remained unresolved, while disciplinary action was being taken against those who raised their voices.
According to Jagan, the government should address employee concerns and clear pending dues instead of taking action against employees seeking their legitimate rights.
YSRCP Promises Legal Support to Suspended Teachers
Jagan said the YSRCP would not ignore the suspension issue and promised complete legal support to the five teachers.
He demanded that the government immediately revoke the suspensions and apologise to the affected teachers.
Jagan warned that if the government failed to reconsider its decision, the YSRCP would take the issue seriously and continue to raise it.
Teacher Suspensions Trigger Political Debate
The suspension of teachers who approached the Centre seeking exemption from the TET requirement has now become a political issue in Andhra Pradesh.
While Jagan has accused the government of targeting teachers instead of addressing their concerns, the issue has also triggered wider debate over employee grievances and the government’s approach towards protests and representations.
Jagan demanded the immediate withdrawal of the suspensions and called for the implementation of promises made to government employees. He also said the YSRCP would continue to raise issues concerning teachers and employees and support those questioning what it considers to be unjust government decisions.
