University teachers’ strike challenged

A Supreme Court lawyer has challenged the legality of the ongoing strike enforced by teachers of public universities across the country demanding the removal of “discrimination in salaries”.

In the petition, Eunus Ali Akond prayed to the High Court to direct the government to take steps to ensure the teachers withdraw the strike.

The SC lawyer also prayed to the HC to direct the teachers to attend their classes within 24 hours.

Education is a fundamental right and this strike is depriving the students of their rights, Eunus told The Daily Star citing the petition.

Eunus also said, “The teachers can have their grievances heard in court if there is any discrimination in their salary and dignity. But they cannot enforce the strike by boycotting classes and hampering the education of the students.”

The court is likely to hear the petition tomorrow, he said.

The teachers of all the 37 universities have been protesting the eighth pay scale since May, saying it downgraded their status. Since then, they have been pressing for a four-point charter of demands including formation of a commission to initiate an independent pay scale for public university teachers.