Pune: Aam Aadmi Party Protests Against Education Commissioner Suraj Mandhare; Calls for His Removal

Pune, 18th January 2024: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led a vigorous protest today in front of the Education Commissionerate in Pune, demanding the removal of Commissioner Suraj Mandhare. The agitation was prompted by allegations that Commissioner Mandhare mistreated students who were protesting against a government order outside the Education Commissionerate office.

Students pursuing D.T.Ed. and B.Ed. courses have been protesting for the past twelve days against the conditions outlined in a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Maharashtra Government for the recruitment of teachers. The students allege discrimination in the GR, with priority given to English-speaking students over those who speak Marathi. The AAP claims that this discrimination in the government’s decision may jeopardize job opportunities for Marathi-speaking students.

During the protest, some students claimed that Commissioner Mandhare attempted to humiliate them instead of addressing their demands. Allegedly, he even questioned their proficiency in English by challenging them to recite a pledge from a book. These derogatory and threatening statements, as reported by the students, became the focal point of the AAP’s protest.

In response to the alleged mistreatment, the AAP staged a half-naked protest outside the Central Hall, where the Education Commissioner’s office is situated. Copies of the GR were distributed during the protest, and a statement was issued urging against filing false cases against the protesting students at Bundgarden police station.

Speaking at the protest, AAP City President Sudarshan Jagdale emphasized that the discrimination against Marathi-speaking students in the GR is unacceptable. He called for the immediate withdrawal of the GR and the removal of the language condition. Additionally, the AAP demanded the swift filling of all 65 thousand vacant teacher posts in the state.

AAP Education Aghadi President Shital Kandelkar stressed the need for fairness in removing conditions that disadvantage students. She argued that the Maharashtra Education Department should provide opportunities and guidance for students appointed as teachers to master the English language.

The protesting students expressed their concerns about the condition related to the medium of instruction, emphasizing that teacher appointments should be based on merit rather than the language of education. They highlighted the potential impact on their future opportunities and lamented the Education Commissioner’s lack of effort to understand their problems.