Teachers dig in their heels outside Bengal school commission office

Overnight protests outside WBSSC office in Kolkata as teachers demand tainted vs. non-tainted list, despite SC relief.

Kolkata 

Overnight protests continued outside the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) office at Salt Lake in Kolkata on Tuesday with hundreds of teachers demanding the release of a comprehensive list of “tainted” and “non-tainted” teachers even as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked them to “head back to work”.

The Supreme Court had on April 17 granted relief for the West Bengal government by allowing the services of “specifically” untainted candidates/teachers in the State’s government and aided schools to be retained till the fresh recruitment process is completed by the end of 2025. An April 3 judgment of the court had terminated their services after declaring the entire 2016 recruitment process null and void due to “due to the egregious violations and illegalities”.

On April 11, State Education Minister Bratya Basu had assured that the lists would be published by April 21. But the deadline was not met, which led to an escalation in protests. Teachers have confined WBSSC Chairman Siddhartha Majumdar since Monday evening and are demanding the resignation of both Mr. Basu and Mr. Majumdar. A huge contingent of police and Rapid Action Force personnel was also present outside the WBSSC office to contain the situation.

“How will we go to work without knowing who a deserving candidate is and who is not and without knowing that our jobs are secure?” protesting teachers stated in a release issued on Tuesday after meeting the WBSSC Chairman.

Mr. Basu on Tuesday said the government will soon file a review petition with the top court since it cannot publish the lists until the court of law “allows” them.

Ms. Banerjee on Tuesday assured the teachers that they would get their salaries. “Do not give in to provocations and trust the people who took away your jobs,” she said, appealing to them to return to their duties.