Imran Shah
Kishtwar, (DD):In a case that has shaken the education sector in Jammu and Kashmir, a government teacher posted in Kishtwar district has been accused of grave misconduct, repeated defiance of authority, and disrespect for national symbols—amid allegations of being shielded by powerful officials within the department.
According to a formal complaint filed by Promila Darshni, Incharge Headmaster of High School Pochhal, teacher Saneh Lata not only violated service conduct rules but allegedly insulted the national anthem and used abusive language toward her superiors, creating a hostile and undisciplined environment within the school.
The alleged incident occurred on March 25, 2025, during the school’s morning assembly, where Saneh Lata was reportedly using her mobile phone inside the Headmaster’s office. When instructed to join the assembly, she allegedly responded rudely, using foul language and showing open contempt—even gossiping and laughing during the national anthem, as per the written complaint.
Despite the issuance of a show-cause notice (Ref: Hsp/2024-25/304) and directives to explain her behavior, the teacher neither responded nor complied and instead availed herself of casual leave the following day. Shockingly, she was transferred to GMS City Girls, Kishtwar (Order No. JD/DKR/461 dated 26-03-2025) without any formal relieving order, inquiry, or departmental action—raising serious questions about procedural integrity and accountability.
Subsequent letters from the Headmaster dated March 29 and April 8, 2025, highlighted the teacher’s non-compliance and requested withholding of her salary. However, not only was the salary released for the period of her alleged unauthorized absence (March 29 to April 6), but officials also reportedly pressured the complainant to retract the complaint—further fueling suspicions of departmental favoritism and internal shielding.
“Rules seem meaningless when applied to influential individuals,” a senior teacher at the school, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked. “This is not just an administrative lapse—it’s a collapse of institutional discipline.”
The complaint also points out that despite repeated representations and mounting evidence, no inquiry has been initiated against the accused teacher, suggesting a deeper nexus of protection and favoritism.
In a distressing turn, Promila Darshni was compelled to relinquish her charge as I/C Headmaster (Ref: Hsp/2025-26/12 dated 17-04-2025), citing mental harassment and an unbearable work environment caused by the department’s inaction.
The matter has now sparked widespread concern across education circles, with calls for a high-level inquiry to investigate the charges, restore accountability, and uphold the dignity of the teaching profession.
“This case is a litmus test for the education department’s commitment to fairness and discipline,” an official source said. “Ignoring it would set a dangerous precedent.”
As of now, no official inquiry or disciplinary action has been confirmed by the Directorate of School Education, raising further alarms about the growing impunity within certain pockets of the system(DD)
