Joge Bhangal
Joge Bhangal“Yes! Replacement of Balbir Singh?” Sitting in his office in a happy mood, Principal Harcharan Singh glanced at the newspaper, suddenly got up from the chair. I sat next to He paused to read the replacement list in the newspaper. His mind was not ready to accept it. Akhe, I did not fulfill these conditions, I did not send this application letter to the department but…. He read the list of replacements again. Read again and again in the newspaper, not by mistake… But why Balbir Singh’s name is wrong? … He said that the replacement should be of Satish, how come this reverse Ganga? … Let the afflicted one’s head spin with thoughts.
In my school, a master named Balbir Singh. He still has a new appointment. In the same year, she applied for transfer and was transferred. How should the chief leave him? … He got stuck.
A couple of months ago, the department called for applications for transfers of masters. The conditions were – the employee should have a minimum stay of three years at that station. Two years his result plus and a teacher of that subject must be behind to teach. The application must be sent to the department through the eligible system.
Two math masters in the school. One Satish Chandra, whose application went to the department on the recommendation of the school principal. Because he fulfilled the transfer requirements of the department. Balbir Singh was present at the second post for a few months. He was still on probation. He has no results to show. Satish was replaced by Balbir. But how did it all happen? This was not the only secret that was being revealed.
A few days after the transfer, first Balbir Singh saw me with butter. Akhe, husband, do some trick. I know, the principal cannot refuse you. Without mincing words, I flatly refused, I said, sorry.
Then to leave, Balbir Singh took his first step. With folded hands, requested the Principal. The principal should shake his head in ‘no-no’. He also pointed to the conditions attached by the department under the orders.
Balbir, coming to his senses, took the second step, “Principal Saab! Skip these terms and conditions. All this is fulfilled. Aam khane ke aur, show nane ke aur. Those who replaced me, they also know the conditions.” How long did he stand saying ‘yes’ to the master, but the head of the principal didn’t stop shaking in ‘no’.
Balbir Singh took the next step without any delay. To show his presence, the principal brought his group of fellow masters and sat in front. A glakkad master, making a cauldron of things to the principal, said that sir, you are absolutely fine. According to the instructions of the government/department, it is not necessary to relieve him, but let’s go ‘whenever’ he wants, he got transferred from the same department, which issued the instructions of the government. Now you should think for the welfare of the employee. When the gunshots are fired from above, you also ‘ghan cham keke’. Think of yourself and your wife and children. Everything goes like this here, sir. The others also nodded in ‘yes-yes’ and showed unanimity. The chief told the hundred that the students of the school came first. I don’t do anyone any good by bending the rules.
“This Laknath did not get control like this. As the change has been made by force, it has to be parted. Laton Ke Bhut, Baton Se do not believe.” After coming out, that galakar master instigated Balbir Singh to do jat-jaffa. Balbir had to take the help of journalists and so-called Singhs to do the Jatt-Jaffa.
In order to settle the journalist’s payment, the principal should consult with me about doing some tricks, because the next day, the two so-called Singhs sent by Balbir to kill Dabka left the school.
“Where are you, Principal Arikka Singh?” … who, while we were still, became Hitler. If our minister has changed, no one should refuse to implement it! This is an open insult to them.” A so-called Singh came forward and held the front.
The principal called them to the office and made them sit with respect, gave them cold water, explained that this transfer was against the rules. Department’s mistake. I am talking about it above. Wait a few days. But they say that we do not know anything about rule-schism. Do what you want to do later. We know in our language that there has been a change. We have rubbed our shoes from the minister. See if it can be reconciled, otherwise…. Well, we need a two letter answer – yes or no. We can force the minister to die, but we do not want to give them this trouble because they have other important work to do. We will do so much trouble ourselves. … We are straightforward, clean people. So we join hands and request that you also become a man, take the name of that ‘Vahiguru’ and build a boat. Ours is a straightforward principle – Ade So Khade.
In the midst of the so-called Singhs, the school head was given a DPI. The phone rang. Coming out to listen, pulled me along. The principal should be told by the director that he should be PA of the minister. Calls are coming repeatedly asking Balbir Singh to leave and report, otherwise… Before the principal could give his explanation, the phone rang.
Harcharan Singh Horin, standing outside, started telling me about that time sixty years ago. Akhe, my father was also a master. He used to say that once I took the sarpanch of the village along with the MLA of my area to get transferred. Pass, went to recommend his application.
He says that then I was newly married. A job away from home. The family should refuse to send the newlyweds out. Then it was not considered good to send Zanani out like this. Says, the MLA of that time. Saab clearly denied that this is the work of the department, I cannot interfere in it. Akhe, what should I say to them, came back with his mouth hanging. But he says I got transferred, because I fulfilled the conditions of transfer, but look today…. Bau ji, I wish I could stumble upon such a job. But the second moment, the wife and children start to appear in front.
The principal sometimes asked me to take a long leave and go home. … But it seemed to him a matter of disarmament. Or by transferring to another district… I said, Sir, who will meet you there after washing the milk? Where oh, stay. When they entered surrounded by thoughts, the so-called Singh raised his head in front of him and let his mustache grow. From the window, the school grounds, Harcharan Singh and me, seemed like a battlefield. With much pleading, they finally took a two-day respite from the ‘lions’.
Then the Principal Saab, taking another step on his part, took the Union President and me to meet the Education Secretary Saab. However, Secretary Saab listened to him very attentively. He said that I will talk to the minister, but I do not make a firm promise; Will try … Many days passed, nothing happened even from the secretary.
A dream that night shook Principal Saab. They started telling me – Akhe, I was being pulled by Balbir by one arm, the director of the department by the other. Each leg is held by the so-called Singhs. Standing next to him was a curmudgeonly minister, smiling mischievously. I would give my arguments. They all used to laugh and make fun of me. I felt as if I was a dove trapped among them. My screams really came out with a tug-of-war.
A speck fell from the dove’s beak. Surrounded by Chakravyu, Principal Harcharan Singh and others, I too took a bitter sip and advised them to come to terms with themselves. … As soon as he came to school on the second day, Principal Saab felt himself out of the cycle after leaving Balbir Singh with a sigh.
On the other hand, the other math master Satish, against the injustice done to him, reached the court to get his right. Now, for removing Balbir Singh, taking action against the instructions of the government/department, the court sought an answer from the education secretary. The secretary asked the director of education. The Director issued a charge-list to Harcharan Singh that by not following the instructions of the government, by betraying Balbir Singh, he made himself a participant in the punishment. Before any departmental action is taken, presenting your case, your reply should be sent immediately within one week to the higher authorities through the eligible system.
I think that time has come. The sheep are polluting the water, the lambs are being punished. … Now consider Principal Harcharan Singh ‘to whom would the village go!
He folded his hands, raised his head, praying to God, asking God alone – “Oh my God! You tell me, what is my fault?”
Contact: 94659-52938