Rajasthan: Notice to Education Department, Court asked- “Why action was taken against teacher Hemlata Bairwa?”
The Dalit female teacher was suspended and sent to Bikaner headquarters against the rules. Hemlata took refuge in the court against this order. The court has issued a show cause notice to the education department and sought its reply.
Published on: 19 Mar 2024, 5:49 pm
Jaipur. Social organizations are coming forward to provide legal and financial help to Hemlata Bairwa, a Dalit female teacher who refused to worship Saraswati Devi in a government school on Republic Day and called her “children’s goddess Savitribai Phule”. AJAK (Scheduled Caste Employees Officers Association) has provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to Hemlata Bairwa (Producer, Government Higher Primary School Lakdai, District Baran) for legal aid. Here, the Dalit female teacher has challenged the suspension action in the competent court. The court has issued a show cause notice to the education department and sought its reply.
Rajni Brijesh, Kailash Narayan, Dr. Satish Chand and engineer Sumer Singh from Kota, associated with Ajak organization, handed over a check of fifty thousand rupees to (Hemlata Bairwa). This amount is going to be used in Hemlata’s legal fight against the government order.
Retired IPS Satyaveer Singh, patron of AJAK, told The Mooknayak, “Our organization works for the constitutional rights and protection of employees and officers. In the Hemlata case, the organization had asked for legal help. However, they have arranged for a lawyer at their own level. Have decided to fight a judicial battle against the government’s suspension order.”
He said, “The organization has tried to provide whatever financial help it can to compensate them. So that the morale of the employees remains intact. They get financial support. This will also inspire people to join the organizations and unite. Apart from this, Pooja Bunkar and Mukesh Bunkar have also become victims of government harassment due to the malicious intentions of the Education Department officials. The organization has also helped them with Rs 15,000 each.”
Hemlata talked about following the Constitution in government educational institutions. Despite this the government took action on the same. On this, former IPS Satyaveer Singh said, “Indian Constitution was made under the leadership of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the idea was kept in it that gradually all the people will move forward by adopting scientific approach. Under the constitution, the rights of the individual are protected. Will be protected.”
The Mooknayak spoke to Hemlata Bairava. He again repeated, “What did I do wrong? Under the Constitution, no religion can be taught in a government educational institution. Nor can worship be performed. On Republic Day, pressure was put on me to worship Goddess Saraswati. As per the Constitution I refused the puja citing Savitribai Phule, the goddess of children.”
Questioning Hemlata, she said, “Why so much avoidance of those who talk about the Constitution? When I talked about the Constitution, one-sided action was taken against me. For harassment, I was suspended against the rules and sent to the headquarters in Bikaner, 600 kilometers away. I Because I am a Dalit, action was taken only against me. Other teachers were also involved in this incident, but no action was taken against them?”
On the financial help received from Ajak, she said – “Ajak has provided financial support for legal aid. I have been given a cheque. I will use this amount in the legal fight against injustice.” He said “I have faith in the Constitution. Truth will prevail.” She says, “An appeal has been made in the court against the departmental order. After the hearing in the Rajasthan High Court on Monday, the court has issued a show cause notice to the Rajasthan Education Department.” “No action has been taken in the FIR lodged at the local police station,” he said.
On the question of pressure after the FIR, he said – “Yes… some people have asked through the villagers to withdraw the case. It has also been said that if the case is withdrawn, they will be given posting in the same school.” Who are those people? When asked, she said, “I don’t know. Haven’t talked to me directly.” She said, “I will fight till my last breath for justice. I have faith in the law. I can be tortured but cannot be defeated. Hemlata Bairwa has not yet joined the Directorate of Education Department, Bikaner in compliance with the order.
