Outrage Erupts Among Guest Teachers at TMBU; 10-Day Constant Sit-In Protest Underway Against Termination of Services, Teachers Meet Registrar to Demand Resolution
Bhagalpur, Senior Correspondent: The discontent sparked over administrative decisions and appointments at the prestigious Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU) in Bihar shows no signs of abating. A massive uproar has shaken academic corridors ever since the university administration abruptly terminated the services of around 70 guest teachers who had been appointed previously. Protest-ridden guest teachers have been continuously staging a sit-in demonstration on the university campus for the past 18 days against this unilateral administrative decision and in support of their demands. On the 18th day of the agitation, these teachers met the university registrar and submitted a memorandum, demanding an immediate resolution to their problems. The teachers issued a blunt warning that if their issues and service renewals are not addressed soon, their agitation will take on an even more aggressive form.
What Is the Whole Matter and Why Were Services Terminated?
According to the details received, approximately 70 guest teachers were inducted into various departments of TMBU last year following a duly established procedure. These teachers imparted teaching duties for months with complete dedication and in alignment with academic standards. However, citing internal orders and administrative changes, the university administration abruptly decided to terminate the services of all these guest teachers.
The sudden loss of employment has pushed these teachers and their dependents into a grave livelihood crisis. The teachers allege that despite rendering their services in classrooms for months, neither were they paid their honorariums on time nor was any fair policy adopted regarding service extensions. Terminating services in this manner without prior notice is entirely undemocratic and unjust.
18-Day Sit-In Continues, Lock Found on Vice-Chancellor's Office
Demanding reinstatement and the payment of their pending honorariums for past months, guest teachers have been sitting on a continuous protest under the open sky on the university campus for the past 18 days. During this prolonged period, several teachers have fallen seriously ill due to scorching heat, humidity, and rain, yet there has been no dilution in their morale and the intensity of their struggle.
During the agitation, upon learning that Vice-Chancellor Prof. Vimlendu Shekhar Jha was present in his office, the teachers marched directly to his chamber to voice their grievances. However, it is alleged that the moment the teachers arrived, the main doors of the Vice-Chancellor's office were bolted from the inside. This administrative cold shoulder and evasion of dialogue further inflamed the anger of the teachers. Consequently, the teachers were forced to return empty-handed and resume their position at the protest site.
Teachers Meet Registrar, Place Forward Key Demands
Operating as a delegation amidst these circumstances, the guest teachers met the university registrar and submitted a memorandum detailing their issues. The teachers presented the following core demands before the registrar:
Revocation of Service Termination Order: The teachers demanded that the arbitrary and unilateral order concerning the termination of their services be withdrawn with immediate effect and that they be re-adjusted to their former positions.
Lump-Sum Payment of Pending Honorariums: Prompt disbursement of honorariums withheld for several months despite rendering teaching duties must be ensured without delay.
Transparent and Just Policy: The university administration should abandon its partisan approach and take positive steps to secure the future of all affected teachers.
Future Strategy and Warning of Agitation
The teachers have made it clear that if the university administration fails to reach a solid and positive decision on their demands soon, they will not sit quietly. The ongoing 18-day sit-in will persist until the process of their renewal and honorarium disbursement is completed. The teachers warned that if the phase of administrative neglect continues unabated, they will be compelled to resort to a fast unto death and an intense mass movement in the coming days, for which the TMBU administration will bear sole responsibility.
The termination of guest teachers' services at TMBU in Bhagalpur and the protracted 18-day struggle that followed cast a serious question mark on the administrative style of the university. Pushing teachers associated with academics out onto the streets in this manner runs counter to the interests of education. If the university administration fails to establish a dialogue and resolve this deadlock in a timely manner, the dispute could escalate further in the days ahead, directly impacting the university's reputation and educational framework.
