Relief came swiftly for the teachers camped at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada. The Andhra Pradesh United Teachers Federation (APUTF) ended its indefinite hunger strike on Saturday, barely a day after launching it, following an assurance from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The federation had taken up the fast on Friday with one pointed demand: exempt in-service teachers from the mandatory TET requirement.
Key facts
- Who: Andhra Pradesh United Teachers Federation (APUTF)
- Where: Dharna Chowk, Vijayawada
- Demand: Exemption for in-service teachers from the mandatory TET requirement
- Turning point: Assurance from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu
- Outcome: Strike called off on Saturday, a day after it began
What the Chief Minister assured
In a statement, APUTF State president N. Venkateswarlu and general secretary K.S.S. Prasad said the Chief Minister had responded to the very anxiety that drove teachers to the protest venue.
The Chief Minister assured that "it was the government's responsibility to ensure that all teachers appearing for the TET were able to pass the examination."
For the fasting teachers, that commitment was enough to stand down.
Lemon juice ends the fast
The close came with a gesture of solidarity. Following the Chief Minister's assurance, APJAC Chairman A. Vidyasagar, former MLC K.S. Lakshmana Rao, and APNGOs' Association State Secretary D.V. Ramana offered lemon juice to the fasting teachers, formally bringing the hunger strike to an end.
| Day | What happened |
|---|---|
| Friday | APUTF launches an indefinite hunger strike at Dharna Chowk, demanding TET exemption for in-service teachers |
| Saturday | CM Naidu's assurance prompts the federation to end the fast; leaders offer lemon juice to protesters |
Anxiety on Teachers' Day
Even after ending the strike, the UTF leaders struck a somber note, saying it was unfortunate that teachers were being subjected to anxiety and uncertainty on Teachers' Day — a day meant to celebrate them.
The federation urged the government to address other concerns surrounding the restructuring and rationalisation process. It demanded that vacant teaching posts be filled and that schools be provided the required number of teachers.
Its representatives also said the government should implement the relevant provisions and guidelines properly, ensuring that students and teachers do not suffer because of administrative decisions.
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