Will the WBSSC job scam protests lead to action from Education Minister?
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Synopsis
Teachers in Kolkata, recently affected by a Supreme Court ruling on WBSSC recruitment, are demanding urgent attention from Education Minister Bratya Basu. They threaten to escalate protests if their concerns remain unaddressed by May 26. Will the government respond to their plight and restore justice for these 'untainted' candidates?
Key Takeaways
- Teachers in Kolkata are facing job losses due to a Supreme Court ruling.
- Affected teachers label themselves as untainted candidates.
- They demand urgent engagement from Education Minister Bratya Basu.
- The teachers threaten to escalate protests if ignored.
- They plan to seek support from local MPs.
Kolkata, May 24 (NationPress) Teachers who were terminated from their positions due to a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) recruitment process have issued a deadline to state Education Minister Bratya Basu to engage with them and resolve their issues.
The affected educators, labeling themselves as "untainted" or "genuine" candidates, have threatened to escalate their protests if the Minister does not respond by May 26.
Addressing the media on Saturday, representatives from the “Jogyo Shikshak-Shikshika Adhikar Mancha” (Genuine Teachers’ Rights Forum) stated that they have made numerous requests to both Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Education Minister Bratya Basu, but have yet to receive any feedback.
“As genuine candidates, we are suffering due to a corrupt recruitment system. We have the right to know what actions the government is taking, especially regarding the review petition submitted to the Supreme Court. If the Education Minister does not meet us by Monday, we will be forced to initiate a more vigorous protest,” asserted a forum representative.
The forum is also planning to write to all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs from West Bengal, requesting them to bring the plight of the affected teachers to Parliament. “We will reach out to MPs from both the ruling and opposition parties,” the representative mentioned.
On April 3, a Supreme Court bench consisting of then Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kumar upheld a prior Calcutta High Court ruling that invalidated 25,753 school appointments made through the WBSSC.
The Supreme Court noted that the panel must be dissolved entirely due to the authorities' inability to differentiate between "tainted" and "untainted" candidates.
Since then, the state government and the WBSSC have submitted review petitions to the Supreme Court seeking a reassessment of the ruling.
Point of View
It's imperative to understand the gravity of the situation facing the teachers in West Bengal. The recent Supreme Court ruling has left many genuine candidates in distress, and their calls for justice deserve attention. It is essential for the government to respond promptly to avoid further unrest.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WBSSC job scam?
The WBSSC job scam refers to the recent Supreme Court ruling that annulled over 25,000 school appointments made through the West Bengal School Service Commission due to allegations of corruption in the recruitment process.
What are the teachers demanding?
The teachers are demanding a meeting with Education Minister Bratya Basu to discuss their concerns regarding the Supreme Court ruling and the government's next steps.
What will happen if the Education Minister does not respond?
If the Education Minister does not meet with them by May 26, the teachers have threatened to escalate their protests, indicating a more aggressive stance.
Who are the representatives of the protesting teachers?
The protesting teachers are represented by the 'Jogyo Shikshak-Shikshika Adhikar Mancha', a forum advocating for the rights of genuine teachers.
What steps are the teachers taking to raise awareness?
The teachers plan to contact all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs from West Bengal to urge them to bring their plight to Parliament.
