Tonsuring of Valarmathi: Massive protest against state govt
Introductory Memo: Valarmathi, convener of the Kerala PSC LP School Teachers’ rank list candidates’ strike committee, shaved her head at the Secretariat on October 26 to protest the delay in appointments, as candidates have been staging a satyagraha for 113 days despite assurances from political leaders and the Education Minister. The protesters allege that eligible candidates are being denied appointments while aided schools continue recruitment, and demand a reduction in the teacher-student ratio, PSC appointments for head teachers, an extension of the current rank list’s validity, and a fresh notification only after existing candidates are appointed. Meanwhile, the State Crime Branch has registered additional cases and questioned PSC officials over alleged examination and interview irregularities during the previous Left Front government. Following concerns over the lack of effective action, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar reportedly recommended a presidential reference seeking the removal of the PSC chairman and members over the alleged irregularities.
Analytical view/ Analysis: Promises changing after coming to power. The real issue is teacher student ratio. It is to be studied
Valarmathi, who is the convener of the PSC rank list candidates’ strike committee, shaved her head in the Secretariat demanding the appointment. The candidates who have been included in the rank list of LP School Teachers of Kerala PSC have been staging a satyagraha at the Secretariat demanding appointment for the last 113 days. Even after two years of the rank list, not a single person has been appointed in many districts. Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, when he was the Leader of the Opposition, had intervened in the matter and promised to take appropriate action. “” “Education Minister N Shamshuddin had assured us that the issue would be resolved within 45 days when the strike began 110 days ago.” When no action was taken, on October 26, the convener of the protest committee shaved his head in the middle of the secretariat.
The protest committee was angered by the appointment of posts to private schools in the aided sector without giving appointments to those who are in the PSC rank list. Following this, he decided to shave his head and start a hunger strike. Valarmathi, the convenor of the protest committee, alleged that things are moving at a fast pace for the private sector without making appointments in the government sector because of bribes from the private sector. The demands include reduction of teacher-student ratio from 1:30 to 1:25, leaving the appointment of head teacher to PSC, extension of the tenure of the rank list, and a fresh notification only after the appointment of all those who have the current rank list. The committee tried to meet the Chief Minister but could not do so.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson G L Narasimha demanded an apology from Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, the State Crime Branch police have registered three more cases and questioned five PSC members and the chairman in connection with the PSC irregularities during the Left Front government. Though the High Court had said that the chairman and members would not appear before the Crime Branch police for questioning as the PSC was a constitutional body, it directed them to take strong action. The notice was issued to the PSC members and the chairman after the High Court lashed out at the state government’s’ bhai-bhai ‘attitude towards the accused in the cases.
The Crime Branch had found that 10 questions of 58 marks of all the candidates were left unchecked and irregularities were committed in the interview in order to appoint a Left supporter. When the state government did not take any concrete steps in this regard, then Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar recommended a presidential reference to the President seeking the removal of the PSC members and the chairman on the basis of complaints. If the President sends it to the Supreme Court, the Governor can suspend the PSC chairman and members. The Governor’s action was widely appreciated by the public in Kerala.
Reference
- Manorama Online https://share.google/mKCLZCD2R08OEvYFc
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- Asianet News Malayalam https://share.google/u1WYxo07GdglVXJTf
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News at a Glance: The candidates in PSC rank list is protesting in front of secretariat for more than 110 days. Now association secretary Valarmathy a young lady tonsured her head in public.
Academic Insight: The total functioning of PSC and rank lists are in shadow. The ratio between vacancy and ranklist have to be reworked.
Social Media Pulse: Viral
On Our Reading List: Mathrubhumi, Manorama, Indian express, Times of India, Deshabhimani, Janambhumi
Article by: G K Suresh Babu