Bad Romance: Teacher duo sacked on wedding day after school views it as bad influence

Imagine getting a call on the day of your wedding. Your heart is thumping, wedding jitters maybe. Thankfully, the wedding is still on. Bad news- you're fired for getting married. Bizarrely, two teachers in  Jammu & Kashmir's Pulwama district were fired on 'D-day after management claimed their "romance",  which they alleged started before marriage, could adversely affect the students".

Tariq Bhat and Sumaya Bashir, residents of Tral town in Pulwama, were working in Boys and Girls wings, respectively, of Pampore Muslim Educational Institute for the past several years. They alleged their services were abruptly terminated by the school management on November 30, the day they entered the wedlock. While the principal of the school did not respond to calls for a comment on the sacking, chairman of the school Bashir Masoodi said the duo were relieved from service as they were in a "romantic relationship" before getting married.

"They were having romance and it is not good for the 2,000 students of the school and 200 staff members working there. This can adversely affect the students," said Chairman Bashir Masoodi. On further queries to management, Masood asked the reporter to "visit the school and talk to the principal about it".

The couple, however, alleged that the school was tarnishing their image. "If we were in a romantic relationship, did they come to know of it only after we announced our wedding plans?" Bhat asked. He also claimed that the leave for marriage had been sent and approved a month before their wedding date. As for the "romance" claims, "Ours was an arranged marriage. We got engaged a few months ago and the entire school management knew about it as Sumaya hosted a party for the staff members soon after the engagement ceremony," Bhat said.

He questioned the school managements claim of "romantic relationship", asking why they were not given an opportunity to explain if it were the case. "We both applied for leave to get married almost a month before the wedding day and the school management sanctioned the leave. "We have got married which is the right thing to do from whichever perspective one looks at it. We have not sinned or committed a crime," they said.