Failed Talks with State Government Lead to Indefinite Strike Call from May 31; Teachers Clash with Police During March Toward Mantralaya
Published on: May 31, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur/Rajnandgaon, India
In a massive show of dissent, thousands of teachers from across Chhattisgarh converged at Tuta Maidan in Raipur on May 28, raising slogans against the state government’s alleged unilateral implementation of a disputed rationalization policy. The protest, led by the Shikshak Sanyukt Morcha (Teacher Joint Forum), focused on a four-point charter of demands including the removal of B.Ed. requirement for promotions, time-bound pay scale and arrears similar to the case of Sona Sahu, implementation of the old pension scheme from the date of first appointment, and an overhaul of the rationalization process.
According to protest leaders Manish Mishra, Kedar Jain, and Jakesh Sahu, the event witnessed one of the largest mobilizations of teachers in recent years. “An electrifying atmosphere of resistance filled the air, as educators from all directions united to voice their collective anguish,” they said.
The rally’s momentum intensified as protesters began marching towards the Mantralaya (state secretariat). Police barricades were overwhelmed at the first checkpoint, forcing law enforcement to block the rally with reinforced barriers near the railway overbridge. Clashes ensued, reflecting the protesters’ frustration.
The state government responded by inviting a delegation from the forum for dialogue. However, talks ended in deadlock, prompting the announcement of an indefinite strike from May 31. The teacher community has resolved to continue the agitation through region-wise relay strikes at Tuta Maidan and will boycott the school admission festival (Shala Pravesh Utsav) from June 16, transforming the protest into a mass movement.
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In a joint statement, state coordinators including Sanjay Sharma, Virendra Dubey, Vikas Rajput, Krishna Kumar Navrang, Rajnarayan Dwivedi, and others accused the government of attempting to privatize public education under the guise of rationalization. “Closing thousands of schools, merging institutions, and eliminating over 50,000 teaching posts is a direct attack on public education,” they stated.
District-level protests and campaigns are now being planned to raise awareness among villagers, parents, and students about the long-term consequences of what teachers call a “dangerous and anti-people policy.”
