Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 10: Scores of contractual lecturers working across colleges in Kashmir staged a protest today, demanding the scrapping of a recent administration order that would engage them as guest faculty.
Holding PhDs, the lecturers assembled at Sher-e-Kashmir Park for a silent protest, urging immediate action and calling for engagement under UGC guidelines.
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“The Government released an order under which they will be treated as guest faculty; as guest faculty, they will receive Rs 400 per day, totaling Rs 14,000 per month, whereas under the academic arrangement, they used to receive Rs 28,000; isn’t that an injustice?” said Dr. Sajad Subhan Rather, one of the protestors.
The protestors noted that other states duly follow UGC guidelines, ensuring wages are paid accordingly.
“Even if they are hired under contract, they receive the due titles, but not in J&K; the experience certificates we receive do not hold any value,” the protestors added.
The protestors highlighted that 3000 such lecturers with doctorate degrees are teaching across J&K and facing grave injustice. “They are working, which means vacancies exist, but they are not being filled.”
One of the protestors questioned, “If there is one nation, one constitution, what happens when it comes to Kashmir, and why are educated youth being pushed to the wall? Did I do my PhD for this? We are dependent on our parents, and that’s the irony.”
The protesting lecturers demanded that they be appointed as per UGC guidelines and regularized as needed across colleges in J&K. “At the same time, we also demand the revocation of the recently issued order without delay.”
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