J&K HECTA Observes State-wide Pen-Down Strike, Warns of Intensified Protests

Srinagar, March 24, 2025 – The Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Contractual Teachers Association (J&K HECTA) observed a one-day pen-down strike across all degree colleges in J&K as a symbolic yet firm warning to the government. The protest, conducted peacefully under the unified banner of J&K HECTA, marks the beginning of a more intense movement in the coming days, including potential hunger strikes across the Union Territory, that shall impact the Education in Government Degree Colleges across Union Territory.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Dr. Ashraf Zainabi, a core member of J&K HECTA, emphasized that the government must urgently address their long-pending and legitimate demands. He reminded authorities that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had committed to fulfilling these demands during election campaigns, and the teaching fraternity expects those assurances to be honored without further delay.
Key Immediate Demands That Should be Accepted With in a Weeks Time
1. Basic salary for the full 12-month academic year as per Ladakh UT and UGC guidelines.
2. Guaranteed continuation of services for a minimum of three years, aligning with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
3. Timely disbursement of salaries and one-time CID verification, instead of the current practice of annual renewals.
Broader Structural Demands That Should Be Accepted With in Two Months Time
1. A comprehensive job policy based on models implemented in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana for similar work.
2. Reactivation of J&K’s regularization policy, which was operational until 2009.
3. Service benefits in line with permanent counterparts, if not fully at par, at least ensuring social security and career stability.
J&K HECTA has warned that continued government inaction will severely impact higher education in J&K, as faculty members are left with no choice but to escalate their movement. The forum has called upon the government to prioritize and implement their demands immediately, failing which colleges across the UT may witness prolonged disruptions.