Rajasthan: Teachers Burn Effigy of Education Minister in His Own Constituency, Vow to Intensify Agitation Over Summer Vacation Cut

Ramganj Mandi/Kota-  Thousands of teachers under the banner of the Rajasthan Shikshan Sangh (Siyaram) took out a massive rally and expressed their anger against the state government. The protest was held in Ramganj Mandi, the assembly constituency of the Education Minister Madan Dilawar, where demonstrators burnt his effigy and submitted a memorandum demanding the rollback of arbitrary deductions from summer vacations and action on other key demands.

The protest was part of the fourth phase of a statewide movement announced by the organization. Led by the group’s chief patron and administrative president, Siyaram Sharma, hundreds of teachers from across the state gathered on the streets of Ramganj Mandi, disregarding intense heat and humidity. The rally began at 1 PM from the Govardhanpura Mataji Temple, passing through key areas including Sarakari Kuan, Mal Godam Chowk, Bazaar Number 5, Ambedkar Chowk, and Panchmukhi Road, before concluding at the Sub-Divisional Office.

En route, the leaders paid floral tributes at the statues of martyr Pannalal Yadav, Mahatma Gandhi, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. At the start of the rally, teachers took out a mock funeral procession of the Education Minister's effigy, which was later set on fire outside the Sub-Divisional Office amid slogans and symbolic mourning.

Following the effigy burning, a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister was submitted to Sub-Divisional Officer Charu (IAS), demanding the reversal of the summer vacation cut and action on other pending teacher and student-related issues. The rally received widespread support from local residents.

State General Secretary Ramdayal Meena stated that the arbitrary reduction in summer holidays is completely impractical and inhumane, given Rajasthan’s geographical conditions and lack of resources in schools. Executive President Naveen Kumar Sharma informed that a public meeting was also held near Govardhanpura Mataji Temple.

Addressing the gathering, leaders including Siyaram Sharma, Lalit R. Patidar, Virendra Sharma, Ummed Singh Dudi, Meena Mansooria, and others criticized the Education Minister’s indifferent attitude. They pointed out that due to the minister’s inaction, promotions under the Third Pay Scale have been stalled for years, leaving thousands of senior teacher posts vacant in subjects like Mathematics, English, and Science. They also highlighted the lack of a teacher transfer policy even after two and a half years of the government’s term, and the issue of dual postings of thousands of teachers, which places a double burden on the treasury and injustice upon students.

The rally was successfully organized with the support of several members, including Mohan Lal Dhakad, Ghanashyam Atal, Devendra Rathore, Ashok Nagar, Hariom Prajapati, and others.

Issuing a stern warning, Chief Patron Siyaram Sharma said, “If the government does not accept the teachers’ legitimate demands in time, the movement will be made even more aggressive.”