School job losers hunger strike underway in front of WBSSC office

IANS April 10, 2025 296 views

Hundreds of job aspirants have launched a hunger strike outside the West Bengal School Service Commission office in Kolkata, demanding fair job allocation. The protest comes after the Supreme Court cancelled a recruitment panel of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching positions due to alleged irregularities. Protesters are seeking transparent segregation of genuine candidates from those who allegedly secured jobs through corrupt means. Political leaders, including BJP representatives, have extended support to the ongoing demonstration.

"As long as the segregation is not done and the mirror images of the OMR sheets are made public, we will continue" - Suman Biswas, Protester
Kolkata, April 10: A hunger strike by a section of the job losers, including teaching and non-teaching staff, in state-run schools in West Bengal is underway in front of the West Bengal School Service Commission's office at Salt Lake in Kolkata.

Key Points

1

Supreme Court cancels 25,753 teaching and non-teaching job panel

2

Protesters demand segregation of genuine vs tainted candidates

3

BJP leaders extend solidarity to job seekers' hunger strike

4

Protest march planned in Kolkata on Thursday

The protesters are demanding that the state government and the commission segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones who secured jobs against money.

Notably, the Supreme Court last week upheld a previous order by a division bench of Calcutta High Court, cancelling the entire panel of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching jobs on the grounds that the state government and the commission failed to segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones.

The strikers have also given a call to civil society to express solidarity to their hunger strike just as it did when several junior doctors last year went on a similar-hunger strike against the rape and murder of a junior woman doctor of state-run-R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last year.

Before beginning the strike on Wednesday afternoon, a protester, Suman Biswas, said: "As long as the segregation is not done and the mirror images of the OMR sheets of all the candidates are made public, we will continue with our hunger strike. If the state government is serious about its commitment to protect the interest of the 'genuine' candidates, they should complete the segregation process at the earliest."

A number of BJP leaders, including party Lok Sabha member and former Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Gangopahyay and actors-turned-politicians, namely Rupa Ganguly and Rudranil Ghosh, reached the hunger-strike dais to express solidarity.

The "genuine" job losers are also scheduled to bring a protest march on Thursday in Kolkata on this issue.

"I request the common people and the members of the civil society to join the protest rally in large numbers," said one of the protesters.

Reader Comments

P
Priya M.
This is heartbreaking 💔 These people worked so hard for their jobs only to suffer because of corruption. The government needs to act fast to separate the genuine candidates!
R
Rahul S.
While I support their cause, I'm not sure a hunger strike is the best approach. There must be better ways to pressure the government without risking health.
A
Ananya K.
The education system is in shambles when qualified teachers have to protest like this. Shame on those who took bribes and ruined it for everyone else.
S
Sanjay P.
Why is BJP getting involved in this? This should be about the candidates, not politics. All parties need to stop using people's suffering for political gains.
M
Meena R.
Transparency is key! The OMR sheets should absolutely be made public. If there's nothing to hide, why keep them secret? #JusticeForGenuineCandidates
D
Deepak N.
Respect for standing up for what's right, but please take care of your health too. The fight might be long and you'll need your strength.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
WBSSC Job Scam West Bengal Education Job Recruitment Hunger Strike Suman Biswas Abhijit Gangopahyay
You May Like!