By Dr.Masoon Ahmad Beig
For many, the teaching profession is an aptitude, a noble pursuit motivated by a desire to share knowledge. However, passion alone cannot pay the bills or maintain the dignity of life that each human deserves. Lecturers in J&K are just as competent, committed, and important as those in other states and Union territories of India. Despite having the same tasks and credentials, we are forced to live on less than half the wages. This difference is more than simply an economic issue; it is one of respect, justice, and equality.
In the calm, sometimes ignored hallways of higher education in Jammu and Kashmir (JK), a silent tragedy exists. It does not make headlines, but it is keenly felt by many like me who experience it on a daily basis.
While our colleagues in UT of Ladakh get a salary of ₹57,700, according to UGC standards, in J&K we are paid only ₹28,000—a striking and bitter difference that highlights terrible injustice.
Consider the life of a contract lecturer like me in Jammu and Kashmir, with a monthly salary of ₹28,000. This money needs to cover not just personal expenses but also professional growth, transportation, and family assistance. Rising living costs, inflationary pressures, and the financial responsibilities of daily life all have a significant impact upon us. The wages we get are not just minimal; it also serves as a sharp reminder of the system’s value—or lack thereof—for their labour and life.
The emotional impact of this inequality cannot be understated.
Every day, we approach classrooms with the awareness that our efforts are unappreciated. We are aware that our contemporaries in Ladakh, who face identical hardships, get paid almost twice as much, for the same task. This realisation propounds a sense of unfairness, dissatisfaction, and despair. How long can we continue to give our best when we believe that we are being viewed as less worthy?
The discrepancy in salaries between two union territories Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh is more than just a number; it is a reflection of the systemic neglect that the teachers in J&K have endured for far too long. It sends a message that our contributions are somehow lesser, that our commitment is not as valuable. This is not just unfair—it is unacceptable. College lecturers are the backbone of the educational system, and to treat us with such disregard is to undermine the very foundation of higher education in the region.
It is critical to recognise that this issue goes beyond the teachers’ personal lives. This injustice has far-reaching consequences for the educational system. Demotivated and devalued teachers cannot give the high-quality education that students need. Over time, this difference threatens to degrade Jammu Kashmir’s educational standards, resulting in a division that might have long-term ramifications for the region’s future.
Another tragedy is that the demand for salary parity is not just a financial issue; it is a moral one. The lecturers in Jammu and Kashmir colleges are not asking for special treatment; we are asking for what is rightfully ours. We seek a salary that reflects our qualifications, our hard work, and our essential role in society. We deserve to be treated with the same respect and dignity as our counterparts in Ladakh and in rest of India.
It is high time for the authorities to listen to our voices and to acknowledge our plight, and to act swiftly to correct this injustice. A hike in our salary is not just a financial necessity—it is a step towards restoring our faith in the system, in our profession, and in our future too.
Last tragedy is that the story of the college contractual lecturers is not just a story of economic disparity; it is a story of resilience, of dignity, and of a fight for what is right. It is a reminder that behind every salary slip is a human being, one who deserves to be treated with fairness and respect. We the College lecturers of Jammu and Kashmir have waited long enough for justice. It is time for our voices to be heard and for our rightful demands to be met and this will be sustainable step towards “Naya Kashmir” slogan given by honourable Prime Minister of incredible India.
- The author is a Contractual Lecturer, Geography. Email: [email protected]. Views expressed are personal
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