Discouragement of Sanskrit a threat to Indian culture: HC

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad High Court has held that denial of pension to teachers of primary section attached to recognised Sanskrit institution is not only discriminatory but also discouraged learning of Sanskrit language, which was a grave threat to the "embodiment of Indian culture, civilization and binding force" and "cultural, philosophical, artistic and scientific heritage and cultural unity of India".

Passing the judgement, justice SP Kesarwani further held that denial of pension and other retiral benefits to an assistant teacher attached to recognised Sanskrit institution was violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

"There is no rational basis for discriminating against primary section teachers of Sanskrit institution as against primary section teachers of other institutions". The judgement has been passed allowing a writ petition filed by Markanday Mani, a retired assistant teacher of Deoria district .

The petitioner has moved to the court challenging the order dated December 12, 2012 passed by joint director of education, Gorakhpur region, by which pension was refused to the petitioner. The petitioner's claim was that the primary section teachers attached to the High School and Intermediate colleges were being paid retiral benefits but the petitioner was wrongly denied the same.