Teachers’ Day Protest: March against NEP 2020 stopped, police detains teachers, students

NEW DELHI: On September 5, observed as Teacher's Day, a nationwide protest march organized by the Joint Forum for Movement on Education (JFME) and central university teachers was disrupted in Delhi as police detained teachers and students. The protest was aimed at opposing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, along with other government policies that, according to the protesters, undermine the country’s education system.

The march, organized by Federation of Central Universities Teachers' Associations (FEDCUTA) and JFME constituents was proposed from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar in Delhi. As per the official press release, the protest was stopped by the Delhi Police, who detained leaders and participants. In an official press release by JFME, the organization condemned the actions of the police, calling it “a shocking demonstration of the continuing assault on Indian democracy.”

Teachers’ Day Protest: Detention of teachers, students

As per the JMFE press release, the leaders were reportedly picked up by the police before many of the protest participants had even assembled. According to the statement, the detained individuals remain in police custody, and their location is currently unknown. Among those detained were protest leaders, including:

• Moushumi Basu, President of the Federation of Central University Teachers’ Associations (FEDCUTA),
• Nandita Narain, former FEDCUTA president,
• DK Lobiyal, former FEDCUTA president, and
• Rajib Ray, another former FEDCUTA president.

Police action intensifies protesters’ unity

The actions of the Delhi Police have further fueled the anger and resolve of the protesters. The press release from JFME, teachers stated, “The action of the Delhi Police today only serves to vindicate the sentiments behind the Teacher-Student Unity March on Teachers Day, which was about the unity of those engaged in the teaching learning process against the destruction of the nation's future by destroying public education of high academic standards accessible to all.”

Also read JFME calls for nationwide protest on Teachers' Day; demands old pension scheme, safe campuses, scrapping NTA

FEDCUTA held workshop demanding rollback of NEP 2020

The Federation of Central Universities Teachers' Associations (FEDCUTA) held a workshop at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), urging a rollback of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Faculty members from central and state universities expressed concerns over the commercialization of education, declining academic standards, and reduced access to higher education under the NEP. Participants also opposed the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) and the assignment of election duties to teachers.

Also read Central university teachers demand roll back of National Education Policy

Teachers’ Day Protest: Key issues raised by protesters

The protest was not solely focused on the NEP 2020 but also targeted several other issues including:

• Right to Education (RTE): Ensuring education is accessible from Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to the postgraduate (PG) level.
• Increased public spending on education: Advocating for a minimum of 10% of GDP to be allocated to public education.
• Gender-sensitive and safe campuses: A demand for the creation of safe educational environments.
• Restoration of old pension scheme: Along with resolving anomalies in the 7th UGC Pay Revision and ensuring timely payment of salaries and pensions.
• Scholarships and vacancies: The reinstatement of scholarships for minority, SC, ST, and OBC students, as well as filling vacant teaching and non-teaching posts.