Bengaluru: Secretary in the state Social Welfare Department drew flak in the upper house over sending out threats to teachers in Morarji Desai residential schools, who are planning an agitation next weekend, demanding fulfilment of their demands. However, state social welfare minister backed the official, stating it was done with the intention of safeguarding children’s future.

Teachers working in Morarji residential schools have decided to hold protests next weekend, urging the government for wage hike and better amenities.

To nip that move in the bud, Manivannan, secretary in the social welfare department has issued a statement of sacking teachers taking part in the agitation after verifying the video clippings. He had also threatened them of recruiting teachers on a monthly salary of Rs 12000 till the appointment of other teachers to replace the sacked ones. “Teachers will be appointed to pay wages. We will get good teachers,” was a message that widely circulated on WhatsApp following this.

Justifying his aide’s action, Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya said the new academic year had just begun and there was no intention of suspending teachers. Manivannan’s statement only aimed at safeguarding children’s future, he reiterated.