As a mark of support for the ongoing state-wide protests for the formation of Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and closure of Sterlite Copper Plant in Thoothukudi district, over 1000 postgraduate teachers in Madurai wore black badges to work on Thursday.

In all, over 20,000 teachers engaged in valuation at 75 centres across the state turned up for work with black badges to express their solidarity with the delta farmers and the Thoothukudi residents affected by Sterlite copper plant, the members of Tamil Nadu Post Graduate Teachers Association (TNPGTA), which organised the protest, said. 

Addressing the teachers in one of the valuation centres in Madurai, its president K P O Suresh said, “As teachers, we teach the students about the importance of protecting our nature and its resources and tell them not to pollute our environment. Hence, it is also our responsibility to raise our voice against those exploiting our resources and stand as an example for our students."

He appealed to the teachers to show the government that they would fight not only for their own rights and demands but also for general cause and public welfare. He further condemned the central and state governments for their inaction in addressing both the issues.