Meer Aiyaz
Standing outside a tin gate in a black-colored suit, Idrees Jan (39), formerly a government teacher, is searching for someone among the passersby, unlike most teachers of the area who at the moment are busy with online classes at home, thanks to sub-clause (C) of Article 311(2) which led to his termination.
Inside his house, cries, wailings, and sobs have ceded, but deafening silence has taken over even though there are twin 11-year-old daughters and a 4-year-old son in Jan’s family.
“Observing what transpired over a month has shocked them: people visited in large numbers, many of whom were unable to control tears while deliberating on the issue,” said Jan about his children who are yet to make out what exactly has happened.
Given there’s no other source of income, Jan is concerned about the upbringing of his children who are studying in prominent schools in the area. “How will I pay their fee and other expenses when I am left empty-pocketed?”
Jan says that until yesterday, he had been weaving a different world for them, but now that seems obliterated.
Students Vouch for Jan
Many in the area saw Idrees’s determination to his profession, which is a rarity in the government sector. Moral education was highly emphasized by Jaan while interacting with students, in or outside school.
Responding to the sacking of his teacher, Mir Ashiq, a student of Idrees, commented on a Facebook post, “He was the first teacher in my life who held keyboard in my hands and told me ‘Ashiq do you know? You would be the first student of mine to be a computer engineer with good experience’ Today, I realized those golden words of yours, Sir, and I’m performing my duty with the same zeal and zest. Thank you for being my teacher.”
Another student Bilal who has completed his post-graduation, told The Kashmiriyat, “He is a great person, who helped to build careers of many students; his dismissal was shocking news for us.”
For those employees who are serving government in different departments, the move to sack citing national security is much more than just an attempt to silence. This, they believe, will eventually push many to the wall leaving them with no option.
“It appears that the government wants to do away with native employees and replace them with non-locals. These sackings are a move in that direction,” asserts a Government teacher who wished anonymity.
Plans Ahead
Sitting next to the stack of books piled at one corner of the room, Idrees is mulling over something and has not given up yet because he believes reinstatement is possible.
He has been assured by EJAC of taking up his case, but he himself has not approached any lawyer in the past month, citing a paucity of money. “I didn’t seek any legal assistance because I could not afford one,” said Idrees in a mixed tone of sorrow and anger.