Nearly 1,000 Teachers Continue Sit-In at Education Department Headquarters in Salt Lake
Kolkata, May 18—On Sunday, the protest by school teachers who lost their jobs following a recent Supreme Court verdict entered its fourth consecutive day, as nearly 1,000 aggrieved educators gathered outside the West Bengal Education Department headquarters at Bikash Bhavan in Salt Lake.The demonstrators, all members of the Deserving Teachers Rights Forum, include those who cleared the 2016 West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) examination but were among the 25,753 appointments invalidated by the apex court. The court declared the recruitment process “vitiated and tainted,” sparking a massive uproar among affected teachers.
Emotional Scenes as Teachers Demand Job Reinstatement
Protesters, many of whom were seen sweeping roads and holding placards, vowed not to leave until they received assurances from Education Minister Bratya Basu. A particularly moving scene involved a woman teacher grading student answer scripts with tears streaming down her face—a stark symbol of the ongoing turmoil."We will not leave this spot till Minister Bratya Basu comes here and assures us that we will not have to write the exam again. Our representation and views should be accommodated in the special review petition to be filed by the state government in the Supreme Court," said Chinmoy Mondal, a forum representative.
The group is calling for immediate legal and administrative action from the state government to reinstate them in their teaching positions without the need for retaking exams.
Police Notices and Clashes Add to Tensions
Adding to the unrest, several teachers reported receiving police summonses in connection with the violent clashes that erupted on May 15 near the same location. The confrontation had turned Bikash Bhavan into a battleground, with protestors and police clashing for over an hour. Numerous teachers, including women, were reportedly injured during the police action.Despite requests from law enforcement, the protestors refused to disperse or allow Education Department staff to leave the premises. "Please wait. We will snatch win and justice from the corrupt administration," said Jolie Hazra, a science teacher from South 24 Parganas.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Bidhannagar) Anish Sarkar confirmed that repeated efforts were made to mediate and allow trapped employees safe passage, but the demonstrators remained resolute.
State Government Faces Mounting Pressure
With protests intensifying and legal challenges looming, the West Bengal government now faces growing pressure to address the grievances of thousands of dismissed teachers while balancing judicial compliance.The Deserving Teachers Rights Forum has insisted that their voices be included in the state’s proposed review petition to the Supreme Court, reflecting a broader demand for transparency and fairness in public sector recruitment.
