WBSSC recruitment case: Undeterred by baton charge, teachers gherao Bikash Bhawan again

IANS May 16, 2025 262 views

In a continued push for justice, teachers injured in a previous clash with police have re-gathered at Bikash Bhavan to protest for fair recruitment transparency from the West Bengal School Service Commission. Their primary demand is the publication of lists distinguishing genuine candidates from those accused of paying for jobs, addressing a longstanding grievance supported by recent court rulings. Despite facing physical assaults from authorities, the teachers remain steadfast, illustrating their resolve with repeated protests. The situation underscores tensions between the state government, WBSSC, and educators demanding accountability.

"Even if facing police assault, protests will continue till demands are fulfilled." - Protesters
Kolkata, May 16: A day after being baton-charged by police, the protesting teachers have assembled again, surrounding Bikash Bhavan, the West Bengal Education Department's headquarters, on Friday morning.

Key Points

1

Undeterred teachers demand WBSSC transparency

2

Protest follows violent police dispersal

3

Seeks clarity on tainted candidate lists

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Allegations of government protection

Some of the protesting teachers with severe head and body injuries were also seen joining the protests.

Some of the protesters attempted to get inside the Bikash Bhavan premises by removing the barricades raised by police around the building at Salt Lake in Kolkata.

A police contingent from Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate has already reached the spot and is trying to control the situation.

The protesting teachers claimed that even if they face police assault again, they would continue with their protests till their last breath until their demands in the matter are fulfilled.

Their main demand is that the state government and West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) should immediately publish lists segregating the "untainted" or "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones, who had paid money for getting school jobs.

They also alleged that the state government and WBSSC are "deliberately refraining from publishing the segregated lists to protect the untainted candidates".

The protesting "genuine" teachers started a gherao agitation on Thursday morning, cordoning off Bikash Bhavan from all sides. At around 10 p.m. on Thursday, a huge police contingent reached the spot and resorted to a massive baton charge to disperse the protesters, in which several protesting teachers were severely injured.

Although the "gherao" demonstration was dispersed, the protesting teachers assembled at a distance from Bikash Bhavan, continuing with their sit-in demonstration.

On April 3, the Supreme Court's division bench of erstwhile Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar had upheld a previous order by the Calcutta High Court's division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi cancelling 25,753 school jobs in West Bengal.

The Apex Court also accepted the observation of the Calcutta High Court that the entire panel of 25,753 candidates had to be cancelled because of the failure of the state government and the commission to segregate the “untainted| candidates from the "tainted" ones.

The state government and West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) had already filed review petitions at the Apex Court on this issue.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is heartbreaking to see teachers being treated like criminals. They are the backbone of our education system! The government must publish the clean list immediately. Why punish all for the mistakes of a few corrupt people? 😔
P
Priya M.
While I support the teachers' demands, violence from both sides isn't justified. The police should show restraint, but protesters also shouldn't try to break barricades. There must be a better way to resolve this through dialogue.
A
Amit S.
This mess shows how corruption ruins lives of honest people. The Supreme Court was right - when the system is rotten, you can't pick and choose. But now the government must act fast to clear the names of genuine candidates. Their careers are at stake!
S
Sneha R.
As someone who prepared for government exams, I know how hard these teachers must have worked. Baton charging them is shameful! The government is creating more problems by delaying justice. #StandWithTeachers
D
Deepak N.
The real culprits are the scamsters who sold jobs. They should be in jail by now! Meanwhile, innocent teachers are suffering. This is why youth are losing faith in government jobs. Complete system overhaul needed!
M
Meena T.
My cousin was one of the selected teachers. She studied day and night for this exam. Now her future is uncertain because of corruption. The government must take responsibility and compensate the genuine candidates.

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Tags:
West Bengal School Service Commission Bikash Bhavan protest Teacher protest Kolkata news WBSSC recruitment