In a major setback for the Tamil Nadu government, thousands of government employees, including teachers, staged a silent protest on Tuesday by taking casual leave. The employees, led by the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organisations-Government Employees Organisation (JACTO-GEO), are demanding that the ruling DMK fulfill its election promises, particularly the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
Silent Protest Amid Court Restriction
The employees resorted to this form of protest after the Madras High Court prohibited them from holding agitations. The decision to take casual leave came after a late-night meeting on Monday between employee representatives and a committee of four state ministers failed to reach a resolution.
Apart from the demand for OPS, the protesting employees are seeking salary revisions and better pay for teachers and principals of high schools and higher secondary schools. The employees gathered outside government offices across Tamil Nadu, warning the DMK that continued neglect of their demands could have political consequences.
DMK’s Longstanding Support from Government Employees
For decades, Tamil Nadu’s government employees have been a strong support base for the DMK. In the past, they had openly opposed the AIADMK government, especially in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, when then-Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa suspended thousands of employees under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) for protesting against the government.
Despite traditionally backing the DMK, government employees have been increasingly frustrated over the last two years due to the delay in reviving the Old Pension Scheme. The scheme, if reintroduced, would significantly impact the state’s finances, adding pressure to the exchequer.
Employees Threaten Political Fallout
Speaking to reporters, a JACTO-GEO office-bearer expressed disappointment in the ruling party. “We supported the DMK in the elections, but they have abandoned us. None of our demands have been met. If the government continues to ignore us, we will respond in the next elections,” he said.
With assembly elections just a year away, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had deployed senior ministers on Sunday to engage in talks with the protesting employees. However, JACTO-GEO remains firm in its demand to scrap the Unified Pension Scheme and reinstate OPS.
DMK’s Strategy to Contain the Protest
Sources within the DMK have indicated that efforts will be made to address the concerns of the employees, as prolonged agitation could be an embarrassment for the ruling party. The government is expected to take steps to pacify the employees and prevent the protest from escalating further.
As tensions rise, all eyes are now on how the DMK government will respond to the growing discontent among its core supporters.
