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Key Points

A group of "untainted" teachers in West Bengal have launched a hunger strike near the School Service Commission office in Kolkata. Their protest stems from the Supreme Court's April order cancelling 25,753 school appointments, which they argue was unjust. The teachers are demanding reinstatement without appearing for new examinations, claiming they were wrongly dismissed. This is their second hunger strike, highlighting the ongoing dispute between educators and state authorities.

Key Points: WBSSC Job Crisis Teachers Launch Fresh Hunger Strike

  • Supreme Court annulled 25,753 WBSSC school appointments
  • Teachers claim unfair job cancellation
  • Hunger strike launched near commission's office
  • Seeking reinstatement without new exams
3 min read

WBSSC job case: 'Untainted' teachers start hunger strike again near commission's office

Kolkata teachers protest job losses after Supreme Court order, demand reinstatement without new examinations

"The state government did not honour a single demand of ours - Protesting Teacher"

Kolkata, June 13

A group of “untainted” or “genuine” teachers in state-run schools in West Bengal, who have lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order in April this year, started a fresh fast-undo-death agitation near the office of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC).

The hunger strike began after midnight at Salt Lake on the northern outskirts of Kolkata.

The fresh fast was kicked off by 10 "untainted" teachers amid the process of filling up of vacant posts being initiated by the commission by issuing a notification on the matter on May 30.

The main demand of the protesting teachers is that they will not appear for fresh examinations.

The protesting teachers, united under the banner of 'Jogyo Shikshak-Shikshika Adhikar Mancha (Genuine Teachers' Rights Forum)', have their logic in support of their demands.

The first argument is that they have no reason to appear for a fresh recruitment examination since they had already qualified for the job earlier and in the proper way unlike the "tainted" ones, who got jobs after paying money.

The second logic is that first the Calcutta High Court last year and then the Supreme Court in April this year, would not have ordered for the cancellation of jobs of all teachers had the West Bengal government and the commission published lists segregating the "untainted" staff from the "tainted" ones.

This is the second time that the "untainted" teachers have initiated a hunger strike in support of their demands.

Earlier, they started a relay hunger strike on April 21, which they paused on April 26 following the state government's assurance to sit with them for talks.

However, they continued with their assembly and sit-in demonstration in front of the WBSSC office during the interim period.

"The state government did not honour a single demand of ours. The state government had shown reluctance in giving us any specific assurance. So we are left with no other option but to start the hunger strike again," said a protesting teacher.

On April 3, a Supreme Court Bench comprising then Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, and Justice Sanjay Kumar upheld a previous order of the Calcutta High Court that annulled 25,753 school appointments made through the WBSSC.

The apex court observed that the panel had to be scrapped entirely due to the authorities' failure to distinguish between "tainted" and "untainted" candidates.

The state government and the WBSSC have since filed review petitions in the Supreme Court seeking reconsideration of the order.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun P.
This is really heartbreaking for the genuine teachers who worked hard to get their jobs. The system failed them by not separating the corrupt candidates. The government must find a solution that doesn't punish honest people. 🙏
P
Priya M.
While I sympathize with the teachers, appearing for exams again seems the only fair solution. The entire recruitment process was compromised. At least this way, everyone gets a clean slate. The real culprits are the officials who allowed this mess.
R
Rahul K.
Typical Bengal government mismanagement! First they create this corruption mess, then fail to provide proper data to courts. Now innocent teachers are suffering. This is why youth are leaving West Bengal for better opportunities elsewhere.
S
Sunita R.
The hunger strike shows their desperation. These teachers have families to feed and loans to repay. The government should at least provide financial assistance until the matter is resolved. Education department should be held accountable!
V
Vikram S.
Supreme Court had no choice but to cancel all appointments when proper records weren't maintained. The real solution lies in creating a transparent new recruitment process with biometric verification and CCTV monitoring at all stages.
M
Meena D.
As a parent, I'm worried about my children's education. With so many teacher positions vacant, schools are suffering. Government should prioritize this issue instead of playing politics. Our future generation is at stake here!

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