What Happened to the Bengal School Jobs Protest?
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Synopsis
In a dramatic turn of events, the coalition of jobless educators and state employees in Kolkata was halted by police during their march to the Nabanna state secretariat. Heavy rain and police intervention forced them to call off their protest, but plans for future actions are already in the works. Will their voices be heard?
Key Takeaways
- Protest halted due to weather and police intervention.
- Demands include reinstatement of teachers and staff.
- Heavy police presence and barricades around Nabanna secretariat.
- Future actions will be planned in collaboration with other organizations.
- Protesters remain committed to their cause despite setbacks.
Kolkata, July 28 (NationPress) The coalition of educators and state employees, who have lost their jobs and are denied dearness allowances equivalent to those of Central government employees, decided to terminate their march towards the Nabanna state secretariat on Monday afternoon. This decision came after a two-hour sit-in demonstration was interrupted by police action.
The demonstrators expressed that they were compelled to cancel their march due to the adverse weather conditions and the aggressive actions of the police, stating they would soon formulate a plan for their next steps.
Bhaskar Ghosh, the Convenor of the Joint Forum of State Government Employees, mentioned that various organizations have shown support for their cause.
“We plan to collaborate with these groups to devise our future strategies. Today, we are withdrawing our protest due to the weather. The police implemented measures to prevent our march, and a court ruling restricted our actions. Hence, we could not continue,” he noted.
The collective of jobless educators and state employees had organized this march to Nabanna, advocating for the reinstatement of innocent school personnel, recruitment of primary educators, and an increase in dearness allowances.
However, the Calcutta High Court issued a prohibition on gatherings for the march while considering an appeal from a business association.
In compliance with the court's ruling, the Howrah City Police denied permission for this march to Nabanna Abhiyan. Nevertheless, the groups remained resolute in their determination to voice their demands.
From early Monday morning, the Howrah City Police fortified the West Bengal Secretariat of Nabanna, located at Mandirtala in the same district, to prevent the march.
Heavy iron barricades were erected at three pivotal points in Howrah city to obstruct protesters from violating court mandates and conducting processions.
Additional measures were taken to obstruct key access routes leading to the state secretariat.
After being halted by law enforcement, the protesters sat on the road near Ramkrishna Ghat in Howrah, insisting that they would remain until Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed their grievances.
However, as heavy rain began to fall in the area where the protesters had gathered, they ultimately decided to call off the demonstration.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the plight of educators and state employees advocating for their rights. The ongoing struggle for reinstatement and fair treatment reflects a broader issue impacting our education system. We stand with the voices demanding justice and accountability.
NationPress
31/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the march to Nabanna called off?
The protest was called off due to adverse weather conditions and police intervention, alongside a court order restricting the gathering.
What are the main demands of the protesters?
The protesters are advocating for the reinstatement of innocent teachers and staff, recruitment of primary teachers, and an increase in dearness allowances.
What actions did the police take to prevent the march?
Police set up heavy barricades and implemented measures to block access routes to the state secretariat, following the court's directive.
Who is leading the protest?
The protest is organized by the Joint Forum of State Government Employees, led by Convenor Bhaskar Ghosh.
What are the next steps for the protesters?
The coalition plans to meet with other supportive organizations to strategize their future actions.
