Rajasthan Govt Withholds Dalit Teacher’s Salary for 10 Months After Proclaiming, ‘Not Saraswati — The Real Goddess of Education is Savitribai Phule’

Savitribai Phule Jayanti 2025: Struggling under the burden of debt, teacher Hemlata Bairwa faces rent arrears and defaults on her bank loans. Despite filing an FIR under the SC/ST Atrocities Act a year ago, no action has been taken, and the departmental inquiry remains pending.

Baran, Rajasthan – Today, January 3rd, marks the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, India’s first female teacher and a trailblazer in providing education to girls and marginalized sections of society. Revered as the goddess of knowledge, Savitribai Phule remains an enduring inspiration for women, particularly those from Dalit and Bahujan communities.

A fierce opponent of societal evils like child marriage, sati, and widow tonsure, Savitribai courageously challenged the patriarchal order by opening the first school for girls. However, the legacy of her work for education and equality continues to face resistance from casteist mindsets and oppressive systems even today.

Hemlata Bairwa, a teacher at the Government Upper Primary School in Lakdai, Baran district, Rajasthan, has become a symbol of this ongoing struggle. During a Republic Day 2024 event at her school, a group insisted on placing an image of Saraswati on the stage, which already featured portraits of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. Hemlata boldly refused, asserting, “The true goddess of education is Savitribai Phule.”

Her courageous stance challenged entrenched casteist attitudes but came at a heavy cost. Hemlata faced departmental action, an FIR was filed against her, and she was suspended with her headquarters shifted to Bikaner.

Although she won her legal battle and was reinstated in April, receiving a posting in July, Hemlata has been grappling with severe financial hardship as her salary has not been disbursed since March 2024.

Her two children, preparing for NEET and REET exams in Kota, are struggling to continue their education under these dire circumstances. Rent for their accommodations in Kota has been unpaid for months. Meanwhile, Hemlata herself resides in a rented room in Chhipabarod for ?2,000 a month. Deprived of her rightful salary, she survives on a single meal a day, enduring extreme financial and emotional strain.

Hemlata has filed a petition with the RAT requesting her posting back to her previous school.

Targeted Harassment or a Systemic Conspiracy?

Hemlata Bairwa, a Prabodhak Level-1 teacher at the Government Upper Primary School, Lakdai (PEEO Bandipura) in Kishanganj, Baran district, found herself at the center of controversy following the Saraswati vs. Savitribai Phule debate on January 26, 2024. Not only was an FIR lodged against her, but the education department also initiated disciplinary action, resulting in her suspension.

The Dalit teacher challenged her suspension before the Rajasthan Administrative Tribunal (RAT). Following this, the education department, via an order dated April 10, 2024, revoked her suspension while keeping the inquiry pending. She was reassigned to the office of the Chief Block Education Officer, Panchayat Chhipabarod, Baran district, until further orders.

In July, Piyush Kumar Sharma, the District Education Officer (Headquarters), Primary Education, Baran, issued a transfer order, assigning Hemlata to the Government Primary School in Ahmada.

In an in-depth conversation with The Mooknayak, Hemlata revealed that she believes the posting to Ahmada was a deliberate attempt to harass her. She said, “The school is 25 kilometers away in a remote location without any public transportation. One can only travel there using a private vehicle. As a single woman, it is nearly impossible for me to commute daily through such isolated areas. Before the controversy, I was posted at the Lakdai school, and my position there is still vacant. Despite this, I wasn’t reassigned there. However, the two teachers who incited the villagers and created this uproar continue to work there.”

Hemlata has filed a petition with the RAT requesting her posting back to her previous school. The hearing is scheduled for Friday, January 3. Currently, Hemlata is posted at the Chief Block Education Officer’s office in Chhipabarod.

“I cannot travel 150 kilometers daily for work, so I’ve rented a small room here for ?2,000 per month,” Hemlata explained. As she showed her modest accommodations, she added, “I have very few belongings—just a bed, some clothes, books, and basic utensils. But one thing I never forget to carry is a portrait of my role model, Savitribai Phule. Along with her, I keep the portraits of Jyotiba and Babasaheb Ambedkar. This fight is for their honor. How could I leave them behind?”

In Hemlata Baiwa’s room in Chhipabadod, the only possessions are a bed, clothes, essential utensils, and these cherished pictures.

Loan Defaults and Mounting Rent: Hemlata’s Struggle as a Single Mother

Hemlata Bairwa, a single mother, has been single-handedly raising her two children. Separated from her husband for the past 4-5 years, she explained that despite holding a B.Ed. degree, he neither works nor takes responsibility for their children. Hemlata shared, “My son Nihal is preparing for NEET, and my daughter Amisha is attending REET coaching. They share a single room, and their living and food expenses amount to ?7,000 per month. I haven’t been able to pay this for several months now. Fortunately, the landlord, who belongs to my community, understands my situation and doesn’t pressure me. It’s only through the kindness of people around me that we’re getting by.”

Before the controversy, Hemlata had taken personal and car loans from SBI, but she hasn’t been able to pay the installments for the past six months. She expressed her concerns, saying, “So far, I haven’t received any notices from the bank, but if my salary isn’t released soon, things will worsen.”

Hemlata’s financial struggles have pushed her to extreme frugality. She now survives on one meal a day. “I usually have tea and biscuits in the morning and eat only in the evening,” she said with a faint smile. In these trying times, she has found some solace and support from her father and brother, who help her as much as they can.

When asked why she hasn’t approached the court to seek her pending salary, Hemlata explained, “The lawyer’s fees are too high, and I can’t afford to file a petition right now.”

It is noteworthy that the Ambedkar Scheduled Caste Officers and Employees Association (AJAK) provided Hemlata with financial aid of ?50,000 after her suspension to help her fight her legal battles. Despite this support, Hemlata is in need of a compassionate lawyer willing to assist her in her continued fight for justice.

Hemlata Bairwa has been grappling with severe financial hardship as her salary has not been disbursed since March 2024.

Rajasthan: Dalit Teacher Who Prioritized Savitribai Phule Over Goddess Saraswati Forced to Commute 150 KM Daily

Police Inaction on FIR for Over a Year

A year after Hemlata Bairwa filed an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and IPC Sections 504 and 506 against two teachers, Bhupendra Sen and Hansraj Sen, and some locals, the police have yet to take any action. The complaint stemmed from Hemlata’s opposition to Saraswati Puja in her school, citing constitutional Article 28, which prohibits religious instruction in state-funded institutions.

In retaliation, villagers filed a counter-complaint against Hemlata under IPC Sections 295A and 153A, accusing her of hurting religious sentiments.

Hemlata expressed her frustration over the inaction, stating, “Despite repeated appeals to senior officials, including the IG, the police have not filed a charge sheet or taken action against the accused. My opposition was based on constitutional provisions, not to hurt anyone’s religious beliefs.”

When asked whether she regrets her actions, Hemlata firmly stated, “I have done nothing wrong. My existence today is because of the contributions of Savitribai Phule. No matter the challenges, I will continue my fight for the respect of Savitribai, Jyotirao Phule, Babasaheb, and the Constitution.”

The salary order was sent to the Chief Block Education Officer (CBEO), Chhipabarod. If she hasn’t received the payment yet, she should have informed me.

Piyush Sharma, District Elementary Education Of?cer, Baran

Hemlata Bairwa has been grappling with severe financial hardship as her salary has not been disbursed since March 2024.

Rajasthan Dalit Teacher Reposted After 6-Month Suspension for Elevating Savitribai Over Saraswati: Know Her Deepest Regret

To understand the reasons behind the ten-month salary delay and lack of action against the accused teachers and headmaster, The Mooknayak reached out to Piyush Kumar Sharma, District Elementary Education Of?cer (DEEO), Baran.

The DEO clarified that orders for Hemlata’s salary had been issued about a month ago. He explained, “The salary order was sent to the Chief Block Education Officer (CBEO), Chhipabarod. If she hasn’t received the payment yet, she should have informed me. As far as my office is concerned, there’s no pending issue with her salary.”

On the delay in Hemlata’s posting, Sharma attributed it to the election code of conduct. He said, “When I asked for her preferred location, she requested a place near her home. I posted her 25 kilometers away in Ahmada, but she expressed her inability to work there and obtained a stay order. Currently, she is posted at the CBEO office in Chhipabarod.”

Regarding the complaints against the accused teachers and headmaster, DEO Sharma stated that it was a matter of departmental inquiry, which is still ongoing. He added, “The police case is separate, but the departmental investigation is underway.”

When contacted for a response about the salary issue, Rajasthan’s Education Minister Madan Dilawar did not reply.

Courtesy: The Mooknayak

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