Blind TET candidates protest government’s alleged bias

Around 100 blind candidates staged a dharna at Ashram Road on Saturday to protest the government's discrimination. They said they were not being recruited as teachers in the primary section.

The dharna had members from Blind People's Association (BPA) of the city and National Association for Blind.

To create public awareness about their helpless condition, they conducted a Ramdhun (chanting God's name). The principal of BPA, Taarak Luhar, and the director, Bhushan Punani, were also present to encourage the candidates. Speaking to DNA, Luhar said that since a year or so the government has stopped recruiting blind candidates as primary teachers.

"This is clearly a violation of human rights and it is against the law. The Disability Act clearly states that a totally blind person can be appointed as a subject teacher. Then why is there no recruitment?"

The recently held Teacher's Eligibility Test (TET) aimed at providing jobs to candidates as primary teachers. Interestingly, the test was held for blind candidates as well as per high court directions.

"Due to arrangements made, many blind candidates appeared for the test and have cleared it with good marks. Now, the government says that they have passed a resolution that blind candidates will not be appointed as teachers. This is not fair at all," he said.

The deprived candidates also approached government officials and ministers to seek help in this matter. "We also met director of primary education RC Rawal, but in vain," said Punani. Speaking on the future course of action, he said, "We are having a district level rally on September 14. Also, on October 2, all blind candidates will go on a hunger strike."