While India celebrated Teachers' Day on September 5, a few from the community observed it as a 'black day' instead. Teachers and staff of government-aided private schools in Pondicherry, near Chennai, boycotted the celebrations demanding the implementation of 7th pay commission recommendations, disbursement of their six months pending salary and pension. On the other hand, BD College Teachers’ Association members in Patna, Bihar, too protested saying that they haven't been paid their salaries for the last five months.

UNI quoted Christopher, general secretary of the confederation of private schools staff association, saying that the teachers and staff of 34 government-aided private schools in Pondicherry did not get their salaries for the last six months. The members demanded four months' salary be paid at once as per the government's order. They wore black bands to work.

In Patna, Secretary of BD College Teachers’ Association Satish Kumar Sinha said that teachers and staff under the newly formed Pataliputra University (PPU) have not been paid salaries since April.

“Despite several reminders to the PPU authorities to expedite payment of salaries, no tangible step has so far been taken. Teachers cannot teach students empty belly. They are fully dependent on their salaries only,” Times of India quoted Satish as saying.