Parents challenge Election Commission circulars impacting school operations in Bombay High Court
Parents of students from a local school in Mumbai have approached the Bombay High Court to contest several circulars issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The circulars mandate the deployment of over 2,000 Education Department employees, primarily teachers, as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Polling Station Officers (PSOs) for the upcoming State Assembly Elections.
A division bench consisting of Justices Atul Chandurkar and Rajesh Patil acknowledged the parents' concerns, stating that the requirement for teachers to dedicate full-time hours during the week significantly disrupts school operations, particularly affecting ongoing examinations for various classes.
The petition, filed by senior advocate Gayatri Singh, references circulars issued on August 15, August 20, and subsequently on October 1 and 4, indicating that teachers will be required to miss school hours for election duties. The petition emphasizes that the absence of teachers during school hours hampers the regular conduct of classes, particularly at the Green Mumbai Primary School in Kurla. It argues that such orders violate students' right to education under Article 21-A of the Indian Constitution and the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
The court has directed the ECI to address the matter and provide a statement by Monday, October 21.
Additionally, the petition highlights the physically demanding nature of BLO duties, noting that teachers are often assigned to polling booths in distant constituencies. This exhaustion, the petition asserts, detracts from their primary responsibility of educating children.
The August 15 circular from the BMC's Education Department notified the deployment of 2,000 Education Department employees, largely teachers, as BLOs for three days a week. A subsequent circular on August 20 requisitioned four teachers from the Green Mumbai Primary School for similar duties. Further directives issued on October 1 and 4 required teachers to work full-time as PSOs, compelling them to forgo their school responsibilities in favor of election tasks.
A circular dated October 14 confirmed the full-time engagement of teachers for election duties. In light of these developments, the bench has appointed senior advocate Ashutosh Kumbhakoni to investigate the issue and present a statement to the court.
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Kohli's U-19 teammate Amanpreet Singh Gill dies at 36
New Delhi (PTI): Former India U-19 and Punjab medium pacer Amanpreet Singh Gill died at the age of 36 in Chandigarh on Wednesday, leaving the cricket fraternity in mourning.
The cause of death is not yet known.
Gill, who was Virat Kohli's U-19 teammate, featured in six first-class matches for Punjab, picking up 11 wickets.
He was also part of the Punjab franchise (Kings XI Punjab) in the inaugural Indian Premier League season, and later served as a member of Punjab's senior selection committee.
"Punjab Cricket Association deeply mourns the sad demise of Amanpreet Singh Gill, former Punjab cricketer and Member, Senior Selection Committee Punjab,” the Punjab Cricket Association announced on X.
"Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and loved ones. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family in this difficult time."
Two-time World Cup-winning India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also paid tribute to Gill.
"Deeply saddened to hear about Amanpreet Singh Gill’s passing. Shared the dressing room in our early days, he was a quiet, hardworking cricketer who loved the game. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Om Shanti,” Singh posted on X.
Gill played five Youth ODIs and one Youth Test for India in 2007.
In the longer format, he claimed the wicket of former Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera.
However, he did not make the Virat Kohli-led India U-19 side that went on to win the 2008 World Cup.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Amanpreet Singh Shergill, who proudly represented Punjab and was a part of the Punjab Kings family. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity,” Punjab Kings posted on their official Instagram account.
