TN HC Allows Teachers To Strike, Rejects PIL on Restraint 

Chennai: The Madras High Court today dismissed a PIL petition seeking to restrain a section of government teachers from resorting to protest in the city, pressing for their demands, without obtaining permission from the competent authority.

The First Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose dismissed the petition by S Sirgeth Naina Mohamed. It observed that the teachers should be role models for students and should also realise their responsibilities and act accordingly.

Noting that the Court cannot interfere if the agitation was held in their office premises or in private places, the bench hoped that the Joint Action Council of Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisations (JACTO-GEO) will not hold any protest causing inconvenience to the public. Referring to their February 21 protest, the petitioner submitted that normal life was affected in Chennai.

Alleging that the common man was put to hardship due to the stir, the petitioner prayed for a direction to forebear JACTO-GEO from resorting to illegal strike without getting permission from the Commissioner of Police, Chennai. JACTO-GEO members went on an indefinite strike in September last year to press for their demands, including restoration of the old pension scheme. (PTI)