Gujarat SIR Worker Dies of Heart Attack, Opposition Blames Excessive Pressure

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A 50-year-old school teacher, who was also working as a Booth Level Officer (BLO) for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Gujarat's Mehsana district, died of a heart attack early Friday morning. Dinesh Raval, a resident of Sudasana village, was rushed to a hospital after his health suddenly deteriorated at home, but was pronounced dead. While the police have ruled out foul play, opposition leaders have come forward to express concerns about the excessive work pressure faced by teachers who are deployed as BLOs during the SIR process. Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi and Gujarat State Primary Teacher Association President Digvijaysinh Jadeja have urged the government to find an alternative to the current system, citing the mental toll it takes on teachers who are expected to work both as educators and BLOs throughout the year. This incident is not an isolated one. In recent weeks, two other school teachers in Gujarat have died under similar circumstances. Rameshbhai Parmar, a Block Level Officer in Kheda district, died of a heart attack on November 20, while Arvind Vadher, a BLO in Gir Somnath district, allegedly took his own life, citing mental stress and exhaustion from SIR work. The SIR process is currently underway in 12 states and Union territories, with many teachers working long hours to meet the deadline. The government has been under pressure to address the concerns of opposition leaders and ensure the well-being of teachers who are deployed as BLOs during the SIR process.