Patna: In a decisive move, 15 Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) marched to Raj Bhavan in Patna on Tuesday, calling for the removal of KK Pathak, Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department. Notably, 11 of the protesting MLCs belong to the ruling alliance.
The protest stems from the recent directive issued by KK Pathak on November 30, ordering the cessation of MLC Sanjay Singh’s pension. Singh, who is also the General Secretary of the University Teachers Association ‘FUTAB’, had voiced opposition to Pathak’s directive mandating professors to conduct a minimum of five classes daily. This move has sparked a series of actions against allegedly negligent teachers.
MLCs from various political affiliations, including JD (U), RJD, BJP, and Jan Suraj, participated in the march to Raj Bhavan. During the meeting with the Governor, the MLCs lodged a formal complaint against KK Pathak and called for his removal from the Education Department.
Accusing KK Pathak of arbitrary decision-making, the Legislative Councilors emphasized in their complaint that Pathak’s actions are aimed at stifling the democratic right to form associations and express dissent on various issues.
Sanjay Singh, responding to the pension halt, has announced his intention to file a case of breach of privilege against KK Pathak in the Legislative Council. The ongoing decisions by Pathak have incited discontent among teachers, particularly those participating in the Bihar Legislative Council elections, where six seats are contested from the teachers’ quota.
The MLCs leading the protest include Sanjay Kumar Singh (CPI), Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Singh (JDU), Dr. Madan Mohan Singh (Congress), Maheshwar Singh (Independent), Birendra Narayan Yadav (JDU), Sarveshwar Kumar Singh (BJP), Ajay Kumar Singh (RJD), Sameer Kumar Singh (Congress), Kumar Nagendra (RJD), Sanjay Paswan (BJP), Dr. Sachchidanand Rai (Jan Suraj), Dr. Ramvalli Singh (RJD), Premchand Mishra (Congress), Afaq Ahmed (Jan Suraj), Rekha Kumari (JDU). The collective action underscores growing dissent within the legislative body against the decisions of KK Pathak.
