kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata, April 28, 2025 — A significant protest unfolded at Hazra Crossing as hundreds of jobless teachers staged a sit-in, voicing their grievances over discrepancies in Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets from the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment examination. The demonstrators, many of whom had cleared the written tests and interviews, claim they were unjustly disqualified due to alleged irregularities in the evaluation process. 

The protestors, comprising individuals who had dedicated years to preparing for and serving in teaching positions, expressed deep frustration over the annulment of their appointments. They argue that the discrepancies in the OMR sheets have tarnished their reputations and undermined their professional credibility. "We were appointed based on our merit and have served diligently. It's disheartening to be labeled as undeserving due to administrative errors," said one of the protesting teachers.

The situation escalated when law enforcement intervened to disperse the crowd, leading to brief detentions and heightened tensions at the site. Despite the police action, the teachers remained resolute, demanding a thorough review of the OMR sheets and a reinstatement of their positions.

In response to the growing unrest, SSC Chairman Siddhartha Majumder met with representatives of the protestors. He acknowledged the commission's limitations due to ongoing legal proceedings but assured that efforts would be made to assist deserving candidates within the legal framework. "We are sympathetic to the deserving candidates. The commission will certainly do whatever is possible, as per the legal framework, to help them," Majumder stated. 

The controversy stems from a broader investigation into the SSC recruitment process, where anomalies were detected in over 5,000 cases. While the commission maintains that approximately 20,000 candidates' results were not suspicious, the affected teachers argue that the errors have unjustly impacted their careers. 

As the legal proceedings continue, the protest at Hazra Crossing highlights the deep-seated frustrations of educators who feel betrayed by a system they once trusted. Their demands for justice and recognition underscore the need for transparency and accountability in recruitment processes, ensuring that merit and integrity remain at the forefront of educational appointments.