Unemployed Teachers in Bengal Turn to Roses, Redefine Protest with Dignity and Peace

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, April 11, 2025, Kolkata: In a remarkable display of dignity, patience, and purpose, teachers and education workers who lost their jobs took to the streets of Kolkata on Friday with a powerful yet peaceful form of protest. Departing from the usual images of agitations, hunger strikes, or confrontations with law enforcement, these educators chose to carry red roses, not placards, and handed them gently to police officers on duty.

Undeterred by the sweltering heat and gusty winds, they stood united in silent resistance — not to provoke, but to remind society of the values they once imparted in classrooms. With this symbolic act, they sent a message that resonated far beyond the streets: that educators are not merely professionals, but the moral compass of a civil society. “Teachers do not just teach, they also educate,” was the silent message woven through the calm gestures of the day.

A senior police officer present at the site of the demonstration expressed deep respect, saying, “I am impressed by such peaceful protests. I understand their pain, and today’s work touched my heart.” He reflected on the ongoing struggle of these teachers — job losses followed by court battles, repeated demonstrations, and now, this poignant plea for justice delivered with the quiet strength of educators.

The protest marked a notable shift in tone, elevating the discourse surrounding employment and justice in the education sector. Where once there was unrest, there now stood a quiet assertion of democratic expression. The red rose, handed with grace, became more than a flower — it emerged as a symbol of love, education, and a democracy that listens.

Observers noted that the protest stirred both emotion and introspection, urging society to ask: should those who nurture the minds of future generations be forced to plead on the streets for their rights? In the calm of their demonstration, Bengal’s unemployed teachers left behind not only the fragrance of roses, but a lesson in the true spirit of education and the enduring strength of peaceful protest.