Sangrur: Atop water tank for 51 days, jobless man refuses to budge

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, October 11

Even after spending 51 days atop a water tank in the Sangrur Civil Hospital and despite serious financial problems in the family, unemployed BEd and TET pass man Manish Fazilka has refused to budge.

“I didn’t end the protest even after the change of the state Education Minister. I won’t come down from the water tank till our demand for government jobs is accepted and would rather die here. I do not have any hopes from the Punjab Government, but peaceful agitation has always turned hopeless circumstances into fruitful results,” Manish told The Tribune on Monday.

Though after the change of guard in Punjab, members of the BEd and TET Pass Union had ended their months-long agitation in front of the

local residence of Cabinet Minister Vijay Inder Singla. However, Manish has convinced the union members to continue their protest in the hospital.

“I was earning Rs 11,000 per month by teaching and running a private school van. After I climbed atop the water tank, my two younger brothers are unable to earn adequate money for the treatment of our ailing mother and

father. However, my parents have asked me not to budge as they know that my agitation is for the future of lakhs of unemployed people,” Manish added.