SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, Oct 2: Four sacked cooks from a school in Godda district have announced plans for self-immolation at Shahid Stumbh on October 7 in protest against the actions of the District Superintendent of Education (DSE).
The information regarding their intent has been communicated to the local police station, deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, education minister, and chief minister.
No reinstatement after assurances
Manoj Kumar Kushwaha, an office bearer of the Jharkhand Schools Cooks Association, stated that despite the agriculture minister’s assurance and directives to the department, the DSE has not reinstated the sacked cooks in three months. He emphasised that they feel they have no option left but to take drastic measures to end their lives.
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In July, the DSE dismissed the four cooks (Rasoiya) and a ‘Sanyojika’ from the Middle School in Kurmichuk without serving any show-cause notice.
Previous protests and Govt intervention
In response to their dismissal, the school cooks initiated a hunger strike on July 25. The agriculture minister intervened when the cooks’ condition began to deteriorate.
On July 27, the minister dispatched a team of doctors to the protest site and directed the block development officer to negotiate with the cooks.
“On the assurance of the agriculture minister, we called off our fast unto death agitation on the third day in July, but even after three months, the DSE has not reinstated them in work. So, we have no option left but to finish life,” said Sureshwari Devi, president of the Godda District Schools Cooks Association.
