kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Siddhartha Majumdar, Chairman of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), was released from a 40-hour lockdown by protesting teachers at the Acharya Sadan office in Salt Lake, Kolkata. The teachers had confined Majumdar and 15 other staff members inside the office, demanding the publication of a comprehensive list distinguishing 'tainted' and 'untainted' candidates following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the appointments of over 25,000 educators.

The standoff began on Monday afternoon when the teachers initiated a sit-in protest, blocking the office's main entrance and preventing staff from leaving. Despite two rounds of negotiations with Education Minister Bratya Basu, the protesters remained firm in their demand for transparency regarding the recruitment process.

On Wednesday evening, after nearly 40 hours, the teachers agreed to release Majumdar, citing the necessity of his presence at a Calcutta High Court hearing concerning the case. The Chairman was escorted to his residence by police, declining to comment to the media. Protest leaders stated that while Majumdar had been allowed to leave, their agitation would persist until their demands were met.

Arpita Sengupta, a protesting teacher, emphasized the need for a clear distinction between eligible and ineligible candidates, stating, "We will discuss the list with the Education Minister. However, today, there is a hearing of our case in Calcutta High Court. The Chairman is supposed to be present there in person." Another protester, Sanchita Chandra, expressed frustration over the lack of action, saying, "We are sitting in the scorching weather to get our jobs back. We are genuine candidates but are suffering for others’ mistakes."

The Supreme Court's April 3 verdict had declared the recruitment process "vitiated and tainted," leading to the dismissal of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff from state-run and aided schools. The ruling has left many educators uncertain about their future, prompting widespread protests across the state.

Education Minister Bratya Basu has stated that the state will not publish a list of 'tainted' and 'untainted' candidates, citing legal counsel's advice that doing so may lead to contempt of court. This decision has been met with criticism from the protesting teachers, who argue that transparency is essential for restoring public trust in the recruitment process.

The ongoing protests have drawn attention to the broader issues within the state's education system, including allegations of corruption and mismanagement. As the situation develops, both the state government and the protesting teachers remain at an impasse, with no immediate resolution in sight.