SANGRUR: The hunger strike and statewide protest initiated by computer teachers across Punjab since September 1 over their legitimate demands is gaining momentum. On the 8th day of the protest, a large number of computer teachers, along with members of other supporting organizations, gathered in Sangrur to show solidarity with the ongoing movement. During this event, the assembled computer teachers and their supporters raised slogans against the Punjab government and conducted a protest march. They reached the local traffic square, where they burned an effigy of the Punjab government and voiced their demands with great intensity.
Computer teacher leaders Paramveer Singh, Jony Singla, Gurbakhsh Lal, and Lakhwinder Singh shared that the promises made by the Aam Aadmi Party government before the elections have not been fulfilled. Before the legislative assembly elections, both Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and other party leaders had assured that all the legitimate demands of the computer teachers would be met immediately upon forming the government. However, no action has been taken so far. The Chief Minister has scheduled meetings more than 30 times, yet has never met with them. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema continues to claim the treasury is empty, while Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has been giving false assurances for the past two and a half years. On September 15, 2022, the Education Minister had promised that all demands would be fulfilled by Diwali, but that promise has also proven to be an "empty firecracker."
The computer teachers warned that if their rightful demands are not met soon, they will escalate their hunger strike into a fast unto death, and the protest will be expanded across the state, for which the Punjab government will be held responsible.
At this gathering, speakers like DTF Provincial President Digvijay Pal Sharma, District Leader Data Singh, Kirti Kisan Union State Convenor (Youth Wing) Bhupinder Singh Longowal, DTF (DMF) District President Sukhwinder Gir, 750 Librarian Union Punjab President Rajinder Singh, and Head Master Association Punjab President Kulwinder Kataria declared the demands of the computer teachers as legitimate. They urged the government to meet these demands promptly and pledged full support for the ongoing protest.
Leaders from the Kirti Kisan Union Punjab, Democratic Teachers Front Punjab (Digvijay Pal Sharma), Head Master Association Punjab, Democratic Teachers Front Punjab (DMF), and 750 Librarian Association Punjab were also present in large numbers alongside the computer teachers.
**Blood Donation Camp Organized**
During the event, a blood donation camp was organized by the computer teachers, where many participating teachers donated blood, setting an example of social responsibility.