Protests after SC's verdict continue as SSC panelists consider hunger strike at Jantar Mantar

 The protesting teachers are demanding that the West Bengal School Service Commission releases the names of untainted candidates

Niladry Sarkar, TW,  April 10, 2025 : Affected by job loss, teachers and non-teaching staffers marched from Sealdah to Esplanade on Thursday | Salil Bera

A day after police allegedly used force against them, a large number of protesting teachers and non-teaching staff, who recently lost their jobs, held a protest march in Kolkata. Tensions escalated on Wednesday when protesters reportedly attempted to storm the office of the District Inspector (DI) of Schools (Secondary Education) in Kasba, Kolkata.

Footage of police excesses against teachers triggered widespread public outrage. However, the police defended their actions, stating they were forced to respond after being attacked first.

Affected by job loss, teachers and non-teaching staffers marched from Sealdah to Esplanade on Thursday, demanding that the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) release a list of untainted candidates to clearly distinguish them from those who secured jobs through unfair means.

They also called for the publication of mirror images of the OMR sheets of all candidates from the 2016 panel. The protest was organised by the Jogyo Sikshak Sikshika Adhikar Mancha (Qualified Teacher Rights Platform).

If their demands are not met, the group plans to escalate the movement by launching a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. A platform representative stated that they have already obtained the permission and a delegation will soon head to the national capital.

A group of doctors who were at the forefront of the RG Kar protests were also present in the march. Representatives of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF) and Abhaya Mancha walked in solidarity with teachers and non-teaching staff who lost their jobs.

Meanwhile, another group of protestors, who held a night-long sit-in near the SSC office, began a hunger strike on Thursday morning under the banner of SSC Baidha Chakrihara Samaj (SSC’s Legitimately Disqualified Candidates).

At a press conference, a representative of the group, said, “If the state government and the SSC genuinely want to safeguard the jobs of eligible candidates, they should immediately publish the list of deserving individuals.”

Several BJP leaders, including former judge and current MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay, Rudranil Ghosh, and Rupa Gangopadhyay, visited the protest site and interacted with the demonstrators. Former SSC chairman Chittaranjan Mondal was also present.

In response, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused the BJP of attempting to politicise the situation and exploit the distress of affected teachers. The ruling party claimed that despite the chief minister’s assurances, the opposition is misleading those who lost their jobs.