TM Exclusive: Dalit teacher suspended over ‘Saraswati vs Savitri’ controversy gets posting after six months, know what Hemlata Bairwa regrets

Hemlata says that she regrets a lot that she never got a chance to read and understand Baba Saheb or Buddhism in school or college. “If I had got a chance to know and understand all this in the early stages of my life, then perhaps I would have started efforts to awaken my community and society earlier.”

Geetha Sunil Pillai

Jaipur – Dalit teacher Hemlata Bairwa, who had the courage to tell the villagers that ‘Savitri Bai Phule is the real goddess of knowledge’ by refusing to put up the picture of Saraswati during the Republic Day celebrations in a government school in Baran district, finally got posted on Tuesday after a six-month long battle.

District Education Officer (Headquarters) Primary, Baran Piyush Kumar Sharma issued orders to post Hemlata Bairwa in Government Primary School, Ahmeda with immediate effect.

Hemlata Bairwa was posted as Prabodhak Level-1 Government High Primary School Lakadai (PEEO Bandipura) Kishanganj District Baran but after the Saraswati vs Savitri controversy on 26 January, not only an FIR was registered against her but disciplinary action was also taken by the department after which she was suspended.

Despite strong opposition from some villagers, the teacher flatly refused to keep Saraswati’s picture along with the pictures of Gandhi and Ambedkar on the stage in the Republic Day program. When she was told that Saraswati’s picture should be worshiped in the school because she is the goddess of knowledge, Hemlata boldly replied – Saraswati has no contribution in the field of education, the real goddess of education is Savitri Bai Phule. Seeing the matter getting out of hand, the education department suspended Bairwa.

The Dalit teacher challenged her suspension in the Rajasthan Administrative Tribunal, after which the Education Department, on 10.04.2024, keeping the investigation pending, reinstated her from suspension and till further orders, fixed her headquarters as Chief Block Education Officer, Panchayat Chhipabaud, District – Baran due to the code of conduct.

It is noteworthy that Todabhim MLA Ghanshyam Mahar had recently raised the issue of Hemlata Bairwa’s suspension in the Assembly on the floor of the House and demanded the reinstatement of the teacher from the Education Minister. Recently, Mahar shared a video clip of the proceedings of the House on his social media handle and wrote that the minister has assured him of immediate action in this matter.

Information about posting from social media

When the posting order went viral on social media on Tuesday evening, the teacher also got information about the new posting through social media, she is yet to receive a copy of the order. When The Mooknayak called her to congratulate her, she was very happy and excited. Expressing her happiness, Hemlata thanked her family and villagers as well as the entire Dalit community and Ambedkarite organizations who supported her in this fight with body, mind and money.

Dr. Ambedkar Scheduled Caste Officers and Employees Association (AJAK) – an organization of Scheduled Caste officers and employees – provided Rs 50,000 as financial assistance to Bairwa to fight the legal case going on against her. Many social organizations came forward in support of the teacher. The Mooknayak had done a series of reporting on this entire episode from the very beginning, although the mainstream media kept avoiding coverage of the injustice done to the Dalit teacher.

On this occasion, Hemlata expressed special gratitude to The Mooknayak and said that by publishing a series of truthful reports on the entire episode, Mooknayak not only introduced unbiased journalism but also strengthened the struggle of people belonging to the Dalit and deprived community.

I did what is the responsibility of a teacher, Article 51 A in our Constitution also says – it is the duty of every citizen to develop a scientific outlook. I have just performed my responsibility which every teacher in every school should do.

It was difficult to travel 150 kms daily, son or daughter would accompany me’

In a detailed conversation with The Muknayak, Hemlata told that for the last three months she had to travel 150 kms daily for duty. “It is not possible for me to travel so far alone, so my son or daughter travels with me daily. I am happy that I was not alone in this fight for truth, my children, my villagers, community members supported me completely. If I was able to fight bravely, the credit goes to all of you” Hemlata said emotionally. Hemlata’s daughter Amisha wants to become a teacher like her mother, and has completed BSTC course while son Nihal is preparing for NEET. Hemlata’s husband does not work and they live separately.

When Hemlata was asked that after facing so many problems, will she continue to spread awareness about education by following the path shown by Baba Saheb, she says, “I did what is the duty of a teacher. Article 51 A of our constitution also says – it is the duty of every citizen to develop a scientific outlook. I have only fulfilled my responsibility which every teacher in every school should do. Instead of inculcating conservative and narrow-mindedness in children from a young age, we should develop scientific thinking to remove hypocrisy and superstition. They have to be told that Saraswati has no contribution in the field of education, rather Savitri Bai fought a long battle for women and girl education years ago and made many sacrifices.”

Does not celebrate any Hindu festival

Hemlata has deep faith in Baba Saheb and Buddha. Although she has not formally adopted Buddhism, she is very inspired by the teachings of Buddha. Hemlata does not believe in Hindu customs nor has she celebrated any festival for a long time. She told, “Earlier I used to celebrate festivals but later as awareness increased, I got a chance to read and understand Baba Saheb’s thoughts and his books. After understanding the negative aspects of religion, I started moving away from ostentation.”

Hemlata says that she regrets that she never got a chance to understand Baba Saheb or Buddhism in school or college. “If I had got a chance to understand all this in the early stages of my life, then perhaps I would have started doing effective work to awaken my community and society.” Hemlata says that it is very important to include content promoting scientific temperament in the curriculum. Apart from this, a lot of efforts will have to be made to promote education, especially in a state like Rajasthan, the condition of schools and education in rural areas is very bad.

Courtesy: Hindi News