While the government says that the termination has nothing to do with his PIL, Pathak alleges that he was being victimised for raising his voice for a genuine cause.
In a classic case of shooting the messenger, the UP government has terminated the services of trainee teacher Shiv Kumar Pathak who was the petitioner in the PIL which led to a path-breaking judgment from the Allahabad High Court on equal opportunities in education for all.
While the government says that the termination has nothing to do with his PIL, Pathak alleges that he was being victimised for raising his voice for a genuine cause.
The High Court ruled on Tuesday that all government servants, public representatives and even judges should send their children to government schools. The state government has been asked to implement the order from the next session. A large number of MLAs, ministers and bureaucrats are understandably in a tizzy over the order, and preparations are afoot to challenge it in the apex court.
"I had taken leave and had informed my seniors that I would be away from duty to attend to this case in the Allahabad High Court for six days. But still they have sacked me arbitrarily," Pathak told dna.
However, Basic Education Minister Ram Govind Chaudhry told reporters that the two issues should not be mixed. "It's just a matter of coincidence. He has been axed because of indiscipline and for being absent from duty without prior information," he said, adding that the action against Pathak had been initiated even before the judgment was delivered on Tuesday.
A government spokesman told reporters that Pathak was only a trainee teacher and not a full-fledged teacher, and as such was not entitled to casual leave. He said the government's decision was in keeping with departmental rules.
However, Pathak is not satisfied and is not one to give up easily. "There are many who have been missing from duty for a month or even more. All of us were issued notices. But why have only I been singled out for this treatment?" he asked. He said he would challenge his dismissal in court.
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