Terming it an undemocratic move, DTF general secretary Joginder Azad says: “It was on January 5 that I received a registered letter from the DEO (Sec) carrying the chargesheet at my home address. Though I have made a reply, we will hold a protest on February 11, at her residence in BRS Nagar.”

The DEO had issued show cause notices to eight employees of the Education department on December 17 for holding meetings of the union during school hours and for distributing pamphlets against senior officers of the department. A notice had also been served to Azad.

Azad said: “I received the show cause notice during my service, on December 17. I was serving at Government Middle School, Khanna at that time. As we had been given a time of 15 days to reply, I filed my reply before December 31. I, meanwhile, retired from service the same day. The DEO, however, sent the chargesheet on December 30, a day before the 15-day period was to lapse at my residential address. I received the letter, which had been sent by registered post on January 5. Though, I am not bound to reply as I have retired, I made a reply to her denying the charges that had been levelled against me.”

An officebearer of the front said: “We have decided to protest at the Mini Secretariat on February 11. We will also hold a protest march towards the DEO’s house.”