Students Walk 35 km to Demand Return of Beloved Math Teacher; Administration Concedes

Khargone, Madhya Pradesh: Over 200 students from grades 1 to 5, accompanied by their parents, marched 35 kilometers on foot to demand the reinstatement of their popular math teacher, Natwar Patidar. The emotional protest began at the government Sandipani School in Segaon and proceeded toward the district headquarters in Khargone.

Reason for the March
The students and parents were upset over the recent transfer of Natwar Patidar from his primary school in Dasnawal village. Known for his dedication and innovative teaching methods, Patidar had significantly improved student enrollment at the school, increasing the number from 54 to 246. Concerned that his transfer would affect learning, parents decided to take their grievances directly to the district administration.

Scenes from the Protest
Small children, dressed in red T-shirts and checkered skirts, marched in disciplined lines along dusty roads, followed by older students and numerous parents in various school uniforms. The march quickly became a topic of discussion throughout the region. Local officials, including Tehsildar Antarsingh Kanesh, Police Station In-Charge Gajendra Chauhan, and BRC Sandeep Kaparnis, arrived at the site and attempted to persuade the protesters to return.

Parents Stand Firm
Despite repeated attempts by authorities to calm the crowd, the protesters remained steadfast. Parent Swati Agrawal said, “We have come to meet the Collector to ensure that a hardworking and dedicated teacher is reinstated.” Other parents, including Kamal Chauhan, Amit Yadav, and Sumit Verma, warned that Patidar’s absence would negatively impact education. Parent Nanuram Yadav highlighted the teacher’s contribution: “Under Natwar Patidar’s guidance, student enrollment increased from 54 to 246, yet instead of being rewarded, he was transferred.”

Administration Responds
The march drew urgency when parents threatened to collectively withdraw their children from the school. After approximately three kilometers, Deputy Collector Anil Jain and Assistant Commissioner, Tribal Development, Iqbal Hussain Adil stopped the march. Following a phone discussion with Collector Bhavya Mittal, they assured parents that Patidar would soon be reinstated. The protest ended after a formal memorandum was submitted.

Collector Assures Reinstatement
Collector Bhavya Mittal clarified that an internal dispute between two teachers had temporarily affected the academic environment, prompting the transfer decision. She emphasized that there were no allegations against Patidar and acknowledged his exemplary academic record. The Collector confirmed that Natwar Patidar would be reinstated at his original school shortly.