"We are opposing the state government's blatant refusal to stay a controversial decision which will render more than 45,000 teachers suddenly surplus. As a result millions of students will suffer and this could contravene the provisions of the Right To Education," Kapil Patil, a teacher's union representative, was quoted as saying by IANS news agency.
The Times of India newspaper said the strike was staged following a Thursday meeting between School Education Minister Vinod Tawde and seven members of the legislative council, during which the council members had not received a clear answer as to whether the resolution on teacher cuts would be retracted or not.
According to IANS, the decision to cut teacher positions at Maharashtra schools was abandoned by former Education Minister Rajendra Darda in October, but was revived after Tawde assumed office.
The Times of India reported Friday that the Indian Education Ministry is working on resolving the situation. The newspaper quoted Tawde as saying that "We have heard their problems and will come out with a solution that is best for all."
IANS also reported that prior to Friday's sit-in, teachers marched nude along the streets of Maharashtra's Napgur city.
Maharashtra, the capital of which is Mumbai, is located west of India, with a population of more than 110 million people.
