The state government accused of discrimination and betrayal despite high court ordering restoration of benefits; protestors warn of larger agitation
PAKUR — Retired madrasa teachers in Jharkhand staged angry protests this week, demanding long-overdue pension payments that they say have been denied to them since 2014. Many accused the state government of deliberately ignoring their plight, even after a clear high court directive in their favour.
Gathering under the banner of the All Jharkhand Madrasa Sanskrit Teachers Association, more than 50 retired teachers assembled in the state’s Pakur town, carrying placards and chanting slogans against what they called the state’s “injustice and betrayal.”
“We have served our entire lives teaching the children of this state, and today we are left to starve,” said Abdul Salam, a retired madrasa teacher. “Our pension has been stopped for ten years. Is this how the government treats its elders?”
Teachers said they had not received any pension benefits since October 2014, when a government resolution had originally granted pensions to madrasa and Sanskrit school educators. The situation worsened in 2018, when the Raghubar Das-led government cancelled the scheme, leaving dozens of retired teachers without support.
“Since 2014, every single madrasa teacher who has retired has been denied pensions,” explained Abdul Bari, another teacher at the protest. “We have written letters, met officials, and even knocked on the doors of ministers, but no one listens. We are living in poverty and humiliation.”
Frustrated by the neglect, the teachers approached the Jharkhand High Court. On 17 May 2024, the court ruled in their favour, striking down the earlier cancellation and ordering the government to restore pension benefits within three months.
However, the teachers allege that government departments have failed to comply. “Even after the high court order, nothing has moved. The files are deliberately kept pending. We feel this is discrimination against madrasa teachers,” said Mohammed Raza, another retired teacher.
Many teachers say they are facing starvation and are unable to afford even basic medicine. Some claim they are forced to depend on their children or charity for survival.
“We worked honestly for decades, and now at the end of our lives we are left begging,” said 72-year-old retired teacher, Abdul Ghaffar. “If the government thinks we will remain silent, they are mistaken. Our protests will only grow.”
Leaders of the protest said they would escalate their agitation if the government continued to ignore the court’s orders. “We are warning the authorities: if our pensions are not released immediately, the entire Madrasa community across Jharkhand will join this movement,” declared association spokesperson, Mohammed Shakil.
Muslim leaders in Jharkhand have also condemned the state’s apathy. Local activist Shahnaz Parveen said, “This is not just about pensions. This is about dignity. Why are madrasa teachers singled out? This is clear discrimination.”
The retired teachers have appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to intervene personally and ensure the release of their pensions without further delay. They said they are left with no choice but to continue protesting until justice is delivered.
