What Happened to the Four Protesting Teachers on Hunger Strike?
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Synopsis
In a dramatic turn of events, four teachers on hunger strike in Kolkata have fallen ill and been hospitalized. This situation arises from a contentious Supreme Court decision affecting their jobs. The teachers, who assert their integrity, refuse to participate in new recruitment exams, claiming they were unjustly treated.
Key Takeaways
- Four teachers hospitalized after hunger strike in Kolkata.
- Supreme Court ruling led to job losses, sparking protests.
- Teachers refuse to take new recruitment exams.
- Health issues cited due to unsanitary conditions.
- Continued demand for justice and accountability.
Kolkata, June 15 (NationPress) Four “untainted” or “genuine” educators from state-run schools in West Bengal, who lost their jobs following a Supreme Court ruling in April, have been hospitalized after initiating a hunger strike near the West Bengal School Service Commission's office on the evening of June 12.
Among those who fell ill is the prominent figure of the untainted teachers' movement, Chinmoy Mondal.
The other three hospitalized include Sukumar Saren, Achintya Kumar, and Bikash Roy. All four were admitted to two separate hospitals in Kolkata.
Mondal is receiving treatment at N.R.S. Medical College & Hospital, while the others are at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital.
On Sunday, members of a voluntary medical organization, the Medical Services Centre, evaluated the health of the protesting teachers at their hunger strike location near Salt Lake in Kolkata.
The doctors promptly recommended hospitalization for the five. Initially resistant, their worsening health led them to comply with the medical advice.
Dr. Soumyadip Roy, a representative from the Medical Services Centre, noted that the hunger strike site lacked proper hygiene, contributing to the rapid decline in the teachers' health.
“Chinmoy Mondal's condition is particularly concerning. His blood sugar levels have plummeted, and ketone bodies were found in his urine,” Roy reported.
Meanwhile, the protesting untainted teachers declared they would not participate in the upcoming recruitment exam, which the commission has already announced.
“We have no reason to take the new recruitment exam, having qualified for the role rightfully, unlike the “tainted” individuals who secured jobs through corruption. The Calcutta High Court last year and the Supreme Court in April wouldn’t have ordered the cancellation of our jobs alongside the “tainted” ones if the West Bengal government and commission had distinguished between us,” stated Mehboob Mondal, a spokesperson for the Jogyo Shikshak-Shikshika Adhikar Mancha (Genuine Teachers’ Rights Forum), under which the protests are organized.
On April 3, a Supreme Court panel led by then Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna upheld a Calcutta High Court ruling that annulled 25,753 school appointments made via the WBSSC.
The Supreme Court indicated that the panel needed to be dissolved entirely due to the failure to differentiate between “tainted” and “untainted” applicants.
The state government and WBSSC have since filed petitions for a review of this decision.
Point of View
The plight of these teachers highlights critical issues within the education system in West Bengal. Their determination to uphold their dignity and demand justice is commendable. It raises important questions about the transparency and fairness of recruitment processes in the state. The nation stands with those who seek justice and accountability.
NationPress
16/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the hunger strike of the four teachers?
The hunger strike was initiated by the teachers after losing their jobs due to a Supreme Court ruling that annulled numerous school appointments made through the WBSSC.
How have the protesting teachers responded to the recruitment examination announcement?
The teachers have firmly stated that they will not participate in the upcoming recruitment examination, asserting they qualified for their roles legitimately.
What health issues did the teachers face during the hunger strike?
The teachers experienced severe health issues, including a critical drop in blood sugar levels, leading to hospitalization.
What are the implications of the Supreme Court ruling?
The ruling has raised concerns over how candidates were categorized and has prompted the state government and WBSSC to seek a review.
Who are the key figures in the protest?
Chinmoy Mondal is a leading figure in the protest, along with Sukumar Saren, Achintya Kumar, and Bikash Roy, who were hospitalized.
