Teachers Protest at Azad Maidan Over Delay in Grant Disbursement

Thousands of teachers from unaided and partially aided schools across Maharashtra have gathered at Azad Maidan to protest the state government’s failure to release promised financial grants. The demonstrators are demanding the immediate implementation of a phased grant scheme that was approved last year but remains unfulfilled.

The protest is centered on the government's October 2024 decision to provide phased financial assistance to approximately 5,000 unaided schools. Although an official government resolution followed the announcement, funds have yet to be disbursed, prompting teachers to take to the streets.

In a bold move, the protesting educators have declared a two-day statewide school shutdown on July 8 and 9, affecting all 5,000 institutions. The agitation has gained political support from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Chandra Pawar.

NCP MLA Rohit Pawar has joined the protestors at Azad Maidan since Monday evening. He has publicly stated that he will continue to stand with the teachers and will not end his participation until the government meets their demands.