In a powerful show of solidarity, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday pledged her full support to the thousands of teaching and non-teaching staff members who recently lost their government and government-aided school jobs following a court ruling that overturned their appointments.
Speaking at a large gathering held at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, Banerjee assured the affected individuals that she would utilize all means at her disposal to protect their dignity and fight for the restoration of their employment, which was terminated in the aftermath of a massive recruitment controversy involving the School Service Commission (SSC).
Banerjee’s Assurances: “I Stand by You, I Will Not Let You Down”
In an emotionally charged address to a crowd of hundreds of dismissed school employees, CM Banerjee made a strong public commitment to defending their cause. “I stand by those who have lost their jobs in Bengal’s schools. I will do everything possible to restore their dignity and rightful employment,” she stated, as quoted by Press Trust of India (PTI).
The Chief Minister went on to emphasize that she would ensure that meritorious and eligible candidates are not denied their rightful place in the education system. “I will not allow those who have worked hard and are eligible to lose their jobs unjustly,” she declared, drawing loud applause and emotional reactions from the crowd.
Large-Scale Turnout and Tension at Netaji Indoor Stadium
The scene at Netaji Indoor Stadium was marked by tense moments as a large number of job aspirants and terminated employees gathered in the hope of directly engaging with the Chief Minister.
While the stadium was at capacity, several individuals who did not possess authorized entry passes attempted to force their way into the venue, leading to chaotic scenes at the gates.
In response, the Kolkata Police deployed a substantial security presence to manage the surging crowd, maintain law and order, and ensure the Chief Minister’s safety.
Many affected individuals, some of whom had traveled from remote districts across the state, expressed deep anguish over losing their jobs.
Several were seen holding placards and documents, hoping to draw attention to their individual cases. Emotions ran high, with some attendees breaking down in tears while recounting their experiences.
The Supreme Court’s Verdict and Its Far-Reaching Consequences
The unprecedented gathering followed the Supreme Court’s recent decision, issued last week, in which the apex court upheld a previous ruling by the Calcutta High Court that nullified the appointments of over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff members.
These appointments, made through the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC), were declared illegal due to widespread procedural irregularities and allegations of corruption.
The High Court and Supreme Court both observed that the entire recruitment process had been compromised, raising serious questions about transparency, merit-based selection, and political interference.
The decision has triggered widespread outrage among those who had secured these positions through what they believed was a legitimate and rigorous selection process.
As a result, thousands of careers have been derailed, and livelihoods thrown into uncertainty, leading to a groundswell of anger, despair, and mobilization across the state. Many of those affected have already spent years working in schools, developing bonds with students and contributing to the educational ecosystem of the state.
Legal Recourse and Presidential Appeal Underway
In response to the devastating verdict, a section of the affected candidates and employees is now preparing to file a review petition with the Supreme Court, hoping to challenge or seek modification of the decision.
Legal experts are being consulted, and documentation is being compiled to argue that the individuals were not at fault, even if the recruitment process had systemic issues.
In parallel, a formal appeal is being drafted to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention in the matter. The petitioners plan to highlight the humanitarian crisis and mass injustice that the Supreme Court’s decision has inadvertently created.
They intend to request presidential intervention under Article 72 or Article 161, depending on the route taken, as a last resort for relief and reinstatement.
Protest March Planned, But Dialogue Still an Option
As public frustration continues to mount, a coalition of affected educators and job aspirants has announced plans to organize a major protest march, named the Nabanna Abhiyan, scheduled to take place on April 21, 2025.
The march is aimed at laying siege to Nabanna, the state secretariat, to demand direct action from the Chief Minister and her government to resolve the crisis and ensure justice.
However, the protest organizers have expressed a willingness to call off the demonstration if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee agrees to hold a meeting with their representatives before April 15. This statement of conditional withdrawal highlights the continued openness to dialogue and desire to reach a peaceful and just resolution to the crisis.
A Politically Charged Atmosphere
The entire situation has taken on significant political overtones, with opposition parties seizing the opportunity to criticize the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government for allegedly fostering an environment of nepotism, corruption, and lack of accountability within the state’s education system.
Allegations have been raised about bribes, forged documents, and influence-based appointments that undermined the integrity of SSC recruitments.
Meanwhile, the ruling party is attempting to balance between defending its past decisions and offering empathetic solutions to the thousands of impacted individuals who now find themselves unemployed and demoralized.
The recent developments surrounding the SSC recruitment scam have plunged West Bengal’s educational and political landscape into turmoil, displacing thousands of teachers and staffers while raising serious questions about the governance of public institutions.
As Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee takes a bold stance in defense of the affected individuals, the road ahead remains complex and politically charged.
Whether through legal appeal, administrative intervention, or political will, the fate of over 25,000 individuals hangs in the balance. With protests brewing, review petitions being prepared, and emotions running high, the state is likely to witness further developments in the coming days that could reshape the narrative around jobs, justice, and governance in West Beng