On the day when the other teachers across the country observed Teachers Day, a total of 10,323 teachers in Tripura observed ‘Black Day’ at Agartala on Saturday.

September 5 is observed as the Teacher Day across the country to mark the birthday celebration of India’s second President and eminent educationist Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

On Saturday, a total of 10,323 teachers, who have been sacked by the government, observed the day as ‘Black Day’.

The All Tripura 10,323 Ad-hoc Teachers’ Association took out a rally from Agartala Press Club to Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan.

All the teachers also observed one-minute silence.

The teachers lost their jobs on March 31 this year following a verdict from the Supreme Court.

The teachers now demand alternative employment for them.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before coming to power in the state assured that they would solve the problem of these teachers on humanitarian ground.

But nothing has been so far.

Addressing media, the teachers said, “This day is very special for the teachers. But this year, 10,323 teachers have lost their identity and respect as teachers.”

“The Tripura government has remained totally silent over the matter even after many teachers have lost their lives in the state,” they said.

“So, we are observing this day as Black Day,” they said.

The Supreme Court bench in its verdict said: “The candidates, if they are otherwise competent and eligible, will certainly have every opportunity till March 31, 2023 to get selected for the posts of teachers in the state and by way of additional benefit those who are unsuccessful in such attempts may retain the alternate employment. In our view, it does not amount to any degradation.”

The teachers have urged the Tripura government to implement the Supreme Court verdict with immediate effect and make arrangement of alternative jobs for them so that the families of 10,323 teachers are saved.