President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra, Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, Expresses Unwavering Support for Protesting Teachers; Urges Government to Fulfil Its Promises Without Delay

Mumbai: Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Maharashtra, has extended full support and solidarity to the thousands of teachers protesting at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. The protestors are demanding the implementation of the Maharashtra government’s own cabinet decision to provide phased grant-in-aid funding to partially aided private schools.

Expressing concern, Maulana Ilyas Khan said, “We are deeply troubled by the ongoing injustice faced by over 60,000 teachers and non-teaching staff from approximately 5,844 partially aided schools across the state. It is disheartening that despite a clear cabinet resolution passed in October 2024 to release phased financial assistance, the government has failed to act. This continued neglect of teachers who have dedicated their lives to the noble cause of education is unacceptable and deeply unjust.”

He further stated, “These schools serve lakhs of students and form an essential part of Maharashtra’s educational framework. It is a gross breach of trust when the government itself passes a resolution to implement a 20% phased grant and then fails to honour it—even after two assembly sessions. Many of these teachers have been working diligently for over a decade without receiving full salaries. We commend the democratic, peaceful, and disciplined manner in which the teachers have been conducting their protest. The state-wide shutdown of partially aided schools on July 8 and 9 is a strong indication of the urgency and frustration stemming from continued governmental apathy.”

Maulana Ilyas Khan reiterated, “Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra stands shoulder to shoulder with our teacher brothers and sisters. We wholeheartedly support their rightful demands. Teachers are the architects of our society’s future. It is hypocritical to glorify education while ignoring the plight of those who make it possible. This is not just bad governance—it is a betrayal of trust.”

He concluded with a strong appeal: “We urge the Maharashtra government to honour its commitments without any further delay. Implement the 20% phased grant decision immediately. Restore the dignity of the teaching profession and ensure that these educators receive what is rightfully theirs. Education is a fundamental right—and those who enable it deserve justice, not neglect.”