GORAKHPUR: A large number of part-time teachers of Kastoorba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya ( KGBV ) held a demonstration here on Wednesday seeking hike in salary. Alleging discrimination by the government, the teachers threatened to adopt Islam if their demand was not met soon.

They said in 2014 the salary of permanent teachers and part-time Urdu teachers was hiked substantially, but the salary of Hindi and Sanskrit teachers was cut to Rs. 5,000 per month from Rs 7,200 per month.

"We have decided to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on September 14 and convert to Islam if our demands are not met till then," district president of KGBV Part-time Teachers Association of state Desh Deepak Dubey told TOI.

"The government is trying to divide the country on the basis of language. We teach Hindi, Sanskrit and other subjects and our salary was lowered. But the salary of Urdu teachers was increased. It is very difficult to manage our expenses when even onion is selling at Rs 70/Kg."

"Some 3,000 part-time teachers at 746 centers of KGBV all over the state have decided to embrace Islam if our demands are not met," Dubey added. Project director of UP Education for All Project Board Sheetal Verma was not available on her mobile phone.