Sacked J&K teacher couple declines reinstatement offer

The teacher couple in Jammu and Kashmir sacked for "romance" were offered reinstatement by the school management on Saturday, but declined and demanded action against the management.

Rafiq Ahmad Bhat and Sumaiya Bashir, two teachers of Muslim Educational Institute in Pampore town of Pulwama district, were sacked by the school management on November 30, the day they got married.

The management said the two teachers had a "romantic relationship", which would adversely affect the students of the school.

After the state human rights commission (SHRC) issued a notice to the school management and state Education Minister Altaf Bukhari scolded the management for such an arbitrary action, the management on Saturday offered reinstatement to the couple in the presence of Pulwama District Magistrate (DM).

Speaking to reporters after the couple met the school management in presence of the District Magistrate, Bhat said the school authorities had abused and humiliated him outside the DM's office even when they offered reinstatement to him and his wife.

"We want action to be taken against the school management under the law, as it is not possible for us to join back given the attitude of the management," Bhat said.

--IANS

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