Jaipur, Rajasthan – Mukesh Jangid, a 45-year-old government school teacher, died by suicide on Sunday, October 29. His family attributes his death to intense work-related stress from Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duties, specifically the ongoing voter list update process.
Jangid served as a Booth Level Officer (BLO), a duty assigned in addition to his primary role at the Government Primary School in Nahri ka Bas. Police officials confirmed he allegedly jumped in front of a train near the Bindayaka railway crossing, according to Bindayaka SHO Vinod Verma.
Gajanand, Jangid’s brother, reported finding a suicide note. The note allegedly detailed significant stress directly related to SIR duties. It also cited explicit pressure from his supervisor and threats of suspension if targets were not met, Gajanand stated.
Teacher Groups Raise Alarm Over Workload
Jangid’s death has sparked immediate concern and outrage among teacher associations across Rajasthan. These groups allege a systemic issue of growing pressure on field functionaries, who are tasked with critical administrative work like electoral roll revisions alongside their core teaching duties.
Vipin Prakash Sharma, president of the Rajasthan Primary and Secondary Teachers’ Association, issued a statement. He asserted that the intense competition to achieve top SIR rankings, enforced at state, district, and subdivision levels, results in excessive, unmanageable pressure on BLOs.
Sharma emphasized that authorities must shift their focus. He called for prioritizing the quality and accuracy of electoral data over merely achieving quantitative targets. This shift would alleviate undue stress on teachers.
The association has announced plans to submit a formal memorandum to the Chief Minister on Monday. This document will demand immediate intervention to protect BLOs from undue pressure. The demand is particularly urgent as half-yearly school examinations are scheduled to begin shortly, further increasing teachers’ existing academic workloads.
Understanding Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Duties
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is a critical electoral exercise. It involves a comprehensive update and verification of voter rolls. Teachers, like Mukesh Jangid, are frequently deputed to serve as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for these tasks.
BLOs are responsible for door-to-door verification of voter details. They also enroll new eligible voters, make corrections to existing entries, and identify deceased or shifted voters for removal. These duties are mandated by the Election Commission of India.
These responsibilities often require significant time outside regular school hours. Teacher unions consistently highlight that assigning such extensive non-academic duties strains educational resources. It also impacts teachers’ ability to focus on their primary role of educating students, especially during crucial academic periods.
Seeking Mental Health Support
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, distress, or suicidal thoughts, please reach out for professional help. Support is available and can make a vital difference.
- AASRA: Offers confidential counseling and support services. Call 9820466726 or visitaasra.info.
- iCALL: Provides mental health helpline services. Reach them at 9152987821 or explore resources aticallhelpline.org.
- FindAHelpline: Offers a comprehensive list of suicide prevention organizations and emotional support helplines in India and globally. Visitfindahelpline.com.