Protest Turns Chaotic Over Demand for Reinstatement in West Bengal Education Department
Kolkata, May 15 — The vicinity of Bikash Bhavan in Salt Lake, Kolkata, witnessed a dramatic escalation of tension on Thursday evening as a sit-in protest by jobless school teachers turned violent, leading to a prolonged clash with the police.The teachers demanded reinstatement of their jobs, which were recently annulled by a court order citing irregularities in the recruitment process in government-aided schools. The protest, which began in the afternoon, descended into chaos after police allegedly resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd that had laid siege to the West Bengal Education Department headquarters.
Teachers Injured Amid Alleged Police Crackdown
According to eyewitnesses, many teachers, including women, sustained injuries during the nearly hour-long confrontation. Several were seen bleeding, with wounds on their heads and other parts of their bodies. The protesters accused the police of excessive force, stating that at least five individuals were seriously injured and nearly 100 others sustained minor injuries.Suman Biswas, one of the injured teachers, described the ordeal as “state-sponsored brutality,” alleging that he was beaten and his shirt torn during the scuffle. Another injured protestor, Amitava Biswas from North 24 Parganas, claimed he was attacked without provocation while standing peacefully inside the compound.
Police Cite Safety Concerns, Deny Excessive Force
Police officials justified the use of force by stating that the agitators refused to allow safe passage for nearly 300 education department employees trapped inside the building. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Bidhannagar), Anish Sarkar, said some of those inside were women and unwell, requiring urgent medical attention.“Despite repeated requests since 6 pm, the protestors did not relent. We used minimum force to evacuate the premises,” a police officer added.
Protestors Slam Government, Demand CM’s Intervention
The protesting teachers have vowed to continue their agitation until West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally addresses their demands. Mehboob Mondal, a protest leader, accused the government of bypassing them in the ongoing legal review process and called for a state-wide civil protest."We will not sit for a fresh exam. Our demand is clear — our jobs must be restored. Even if police rain bullets, we will not move," Mondal declared.
Teachers also questioned their exclusion from the review petition filed in the Supreme Court by the School Service Commission (SSC). Rabiul Islam from Barasat Aswini High School, along with teachers Amitava Kundu and Sanjib Khamko, alleged that the government was protecting those who obtained jobs through fraudulent means.
Dramatic Scenes of Violence and Detention
Throughout the evening, violent scuffles broke out as police and RAF personnel attempted to remove demonstrators who had forcibly entered the building earlier in the day. Several teachers were dragged by their collars and detained, while others engaged in fistfights with the police and were seen hurling guard rails.The area became a battlefield with slogans like 'Go back', 'Chor Chor', and 'Dhikkar Dhikkar' echoing across the protest site as security forces pushed back the crowd.
Ongoing Tension and Renewed Protests Expected
The situation remains tense, with protest leaders pledging to return to Bikash Bhavan and intensify their blockade from Friday. The Deserving Teachers’ Rights Forum and other groups are expected to mobilize further support, demanding justice and transparency in the SSC recruitment process.As the standoff deepens, the spotlight remains on the state government and its next move in resolving the crisis that has not only unsettled the education sector but also drawn strong reactions from civil society.
