Kashmir teacher couple sacked on wedding day to be reinstated: Education Minister

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday took up the matter of sacking of a teacher couple on their wedding day with the school authorities.
Reports quoting Education Minister Altaf Bukhari said that the couple – who worked with the Muslim Educational Institute Pampore – would be reinstated “as they have not committed any wrong”.
“Director Education has taken up the matter with the school management. By now the issue must have been resolved if there is no other complaint against the couple except for what was reported in the newspapers,” he said.
The move comes after the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) took cognisance of a news report about a teacher couple’s sacking by the school and asked the principal to appear before it on Monday.
Justice Bilal Nazki, chairperson of the commission took serious note of a news item and directed the director, school education of the state and principal of the Muslim Educational Institute, Pampore, to file a report on Monday, a SHRC spokesperson said.
“Besides, principal of the institute is directed to be present in person on the said date (Monday),” he added.
Tariq Bhat and Sumaya Bashir, residents of Tral town in Pulwama, were employed at Pampore Muslim Educational Institute for the past several years.
They alleged their services were abruptly terminated by the school management on November 30, the day they got married.
While the principal did not respond to calls for a comment on the sacking, chairman of the school Bashir Masoodi said the duo were relieved from their services as they were in a “romantic relationship” before getting married.
“They were having a romance and it is not good for the 2,000 students of the school and 200 staff members working there. This can adversely affect the students,” Masoodi said.
The couple, however, claimed that they had an arranged marriage.
“What is wrong even if they loved each other? They performed Nikkah and their wedding was solemnised by their parents,” said Bukhari.