He has been sleeping on the footpath for seven years. Few days back, while he was returning from the Gurudwara after having his meal, a car hit him from behind. When his friends at the footpath dragged him to his native West Bengal on the pretext of rest, his family failed to recognise him. Long beard and a weather-tempered body have changed his physical outlook completely. A disturbed Mandal says, “For seven years, I have been waging this battle. I have not managed to offer anything to my family. Naturally, my wife and children are angry with me. He pauses and stares towards horizon. “They no more look for me,” he sighs. Take a look at his battle. Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL) runs 34 schools in Burdwan district of West Bengal. They fall under the Union Coal Ministry. About 167 teachers from these schools do not get paid since 2001. The school for the children of coal workers was about to be shut. Teachers protested and continued to teach. ECL till date cites lack of funds. All the teachers tutor privately to run their families. Mandal can’t afford even that because he is busy fighting his battle here. His family lives in penury. In seven years, he has met 17 ministers who have handled Coal portfolio but all he got were mere assurances..
When asked why he didn’t approach courts, he says, “We are poor and justice in court is too costly. We are sure that our democracy will get us justice.”
When asked why he didn’t approach courts, he says, “We are poor and justice in court is too costly. We are sure that our democracy will get us justice.”
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