Delhi Musings: AAP Government and municipalities both holding back teachers' salary

Teachers and non-teaching staff of 12 colleges of Delhi University that are funded by the Delhi Government were not paid their salaries till about a month back. This contentious issue was highlighted in these columns earlier.

The AAP Government in Delhi had even suggested that these 12 colleges offer courses that will bring in more cash so that they become self-sufficient. Now the same Aam Aadmi Party has raised a big hue and cry over teachers not being paid their salary in schools run by BJP-led municipalities.

Are Dilliwalahs to believe that our man AK and his party are only concerned about school-level education while higher education can languish? Or is this blatant display of double standards by AAP something we need to accept and live with?

Are we to be resigned to producing only school-educated delivery boys, auto-rickshaw drivers and parking attendants? Not that these professions are to be looked down upon but we do need more people to replace the Nadellas, Pichais, Neogis, Falgunis, Bansals and Bhickchandanis. And that will happen only when the school pass-outs reach colleges and are taught there by inspired professors. Not too long ago, middle-class morality used to be main plank of our man AK. That, of course, has now been discarded along with his muffler, WagonR and some worthy party colleagues.

Imagine AAP making a statement that teachers who were on strike against non-payment of salaries will be joined by all municipal employees in their protests. How do they know of it before-hand? Is our man AK their instigator-in-chief or is he their messiah is for anyone to guess.

And while the two parties lock horns over wages of teachers, can we not stop wasting the exchequer’s money on the ‘Padhega India Tabhi Toh Badhega India’ campaign and put that money in the hands of our poor teachers?

Low on spirit: The authorities in Delhi just can’t seem to take their foot off the paddle when it comes to liquor and its distribution. Dilliwalahs were deprived for two long months of their favourite brands due to the change in the excise policy of the Delhi Government. They were also promised new, swanky and walkin private shops under the new policy.

No sooner did these outlets open up, did the Municipal Corporations start a drive to check on the manner in which some of these shops came about. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) issued notices to about one-fourth of these shops under its jurisdiction while sealing a few. The shop owners’ crime being that they had built these new liquor outlets by merging a few shops that were allotted by DDA to separate individuals.

On a cold December morning folks in Delhi woke up to contrasting headlines in their daily newspaper: ‘Season’s lowest temperature recorded in Delhi yesterday’ and ‘EDMC seals liquor shops’! Imagine the plight of the high-spirited Dilliwalahs.

Bhagwan not for everyone: And finally, a word on the much-maligned farmers who stayed put at Delhi borders for 380 days. They celebrated in style their victory after the farm laws were repealed. There was euphoria, bonhomie, songs and dances. And just why not? It is not every day that a heady, narcissistic regime is forced to bow down by sheer doggedness, conviction and perseverance.

Conscious of being watched and judged, most of the protesters cleaned up the protest sites before moving on. Not just that, several protesters gave away their stuff to the needy. Mattresses, cots, bed-sheets, food items, wood, tarpaulin sheets etc were all marked for donation.

No wonder, in a viral video some children were seen telling departing farmers that they would be missed. “We feel very bad now that you are leaving. Once you leave, who will feed us,” a child asks. You must have faith in God, the kindly farmer replies adding, “He takes care of everyone.” The child smiles, shakes his head and retorts, “Bhagwan sab ke liye nahin hain.”

Farmers, as per the age-old belief, are intrinsically large-hearted human beings and these protesters displayed just that. No wonder many Dilliwalahs were empathetic towards the protesters despite the difficulties faced while crossing the city borders during the last year or so. Jai Kisan!

(The writer blogs at stateofdelhi.in

Views are personal)

(This article was first published in National Herald on Sunday.)