What Sparked the Protests by West Bengal Teachers? A Deep Dive into the Job Crisis
Protests Erupt at West Bengal Education Department
Kolkata: Tensions escalated at the West Bengal education department in Salt Lake on Thursday afternoon as secondary and higher secondary teachers, who were dismissed following a recent Supreme Court ruling, surrounded the main office.
The protest was organized by a group of teachers from state-run schools who were affected by the Supreme Court's decision in a job-for-cash scandal.
Members of the ‘Genuine Teachers’ Rights Forum’ gathered outside Bikash Bhavan, encircling the building to voice their grievances.
The situation intensified when some protesters forcibly opened the main gate of the Bikash Bhavan, entering the premises to continue their demonstration.
A significant police presence attempted to manage the crowd, leading to clashes between law enforcement and the demonstrators.
The protesters are demanding that the West Bengal government and the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) promptly release a list distinguishing between ‘untainted’ candidates and those who secured jobs through corrupt means.
They argue that publishing this list would safeguard the positions of the ‘untainted’ candidates while allowing for the termination of those deemed ‘tainted’.
Mehboob Mondal, the forum's convener, expressed frustration over the lack of communication from state education minister Bratya Basu since May 7, stating that the protest was their only recourse.
Their primary goal is to ensure that deserving candidates regain their jobs with dignity, while also separating the ‘untainted’ from the ‘tainted’.
On April 3, the Supreme Court upheld a previous ruling by the Calcutta High Court, which annulled 25,753 school appointments in West Bengal.
The apex court noted that the entire panel had to be canceled due to the state government's failure to differentiate between the two groups of candidates.
Both the state government and WBSSC have filed review petitions regarding this matter.
The forum is also requesting updates on the status of these review petitions.