Feud in Teacher’s Forum over “interpretation of Constitution”

Srinagar, June 04 ( RNA) : The Jammu and Kashmir Teacher’s Forum is struggling with an internal feud with many members of the forum elevated in the gazetted cadre bring asked to step down from their posts in order to pave way for younger ones to occupy the place. The idea however, seems to be stirring a storm in the pot with many promoted lecturers and headmasters opposing the move alleging that ‘ constitution’ of the Forum was being misinterpreted and misusing. A senior forum functionary who served the forum as District President in a North Kashmir district until recent past told RNA that there was no clause in the constitution which would bar masters elevated in the gazetted cadre from holding the positions in the Forum. He alleged that the current dispensation in the forum was hell bent in subverting the constitution to their advantage and wanted to show the door to some senior most and founder members of the forum that stood thick and thin with the leadership from time to time to see it flourish.
“There have been many in the forum until yesterday who held many important positions despite having been elevated as lecturers and headmasters. Suddenly an idea is being floated that the forum belonged to teachers and masters only. They seem to suggest that there is no place for those who were part of it from decades and are now being sacked only because they have been elevated as lecturers and headmasters.” a senior member of the forum told RNA. He added that almost five Zonal Presidents from a north Kashmir district had written to the forum top leadership expressing their desire to continue despite their promotions but they did not get any reply.
Meanwhile rubbishing the allegations of ‘miss-interpreting’ the constitution, Forum State President Mohammad Akbar Khan said that all the promoted forum members were welcome to be part of the advisory council, if they wish to contribute for the welfare of the teacher community. Speaking to RNA, Mr. Khan said that constitution was not being ‘misinterpreted’ and added that the constitution would be followed in letter and spirit.
“The constitution is very clear that the forum is for teachers and masters only. How can a lecturer or a headmaster represent the teacher’s issues? Both have different kind of issues. So how can a lecturer represent a teacher’s case before authorities? Teachers have to be their representatives themselves.” asserted Mr. Khan, adding that there was another clause in the constitution which allows lecturers and headmasters who have been prompted and were part of the forum to be the members of the advisory council.
“We have offered them to be members of the council if they really wish to contribute for the welfare of the teachers.” Added Khan.