Hundreds of teachers recruited through the State Level Selection Test (SLST) in West Bengal launched a protest on Thursday, demanding the state government to "separate qualified from unqualified appointees" and resolve alleged irregularities in recruitment processes. The agitation turned chaotic as police intervened to prevent teachers from marching toward Kalighat, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence, leading to clashes, detentions, and allegations of excessive force.
Key Developments:
-Protests Escalate: Teachers gathered at Esplanade’s Maidan area, intending to submit a memorandum to the CM. However, police halted their march near Kalighat, triggering scuffles. Videos showed officers dragging protesters into vans, with several detained at Hastings Police Station.
-Political Support: Left-affiliated youth organizations, including the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), joined the protest, condemning the crackdown. DYFI leader Meenakshi Mukherjee voiced solidarity with the protesters, stating, **“The unemployed must reclaim their rights through struggle. The government’s brutal suppression of teachers fighting for justice exposes its anti-people agenda.”** She sharply criticized the administration for using force instead of addressing legitimate grievances.
-Core Demand: protesters insist the government must identify and remove candidates who allegedly secured jobs illegally through the 2016 SLST cycle. They accuse the government of shielding “unqualified” appointees due to potential blackmail over recruitment scams.
Why Are Teachers Protesting?
SLST appointees claim that despite repeated appeals since 2016, the state has failed to address corruption in the recruitment process. Protap Roy Chowdhury, a protesting teacher, alleged, “Illegally appointed candidates are threatening to expose officials involved in scams if removed. The government fears this, so it protects them, jeopardizing legitimate teachers’ jobs.”
Government’s Stance Under Scrutiny
Teachers demand that the Education Department, School Service Commission, and Madhyamik Board jointly audit appointments and submit a verified list of illegal hires to the Supreme Court by February 10. “Instead of acting, the government is sacrificing qualified candidates to save unqualified ones,”Chowdhury added.
The SLST recruitment process has been mired in controversy since 2016, with multiple court cases alleging bribes and manipulation. In 2022, the Calcutta High Court invalidated over 32,000 appointments, citing violations. The Supreme Court later stayed the order, but teachers argue the state’s inaction perpetuates injustice.
