West Bengal Teachers Decry Government Response Following Supreme Court Verdict, Demand Accountability

Kolkata, April 7, 2025 — In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s landmark verdict upholding the cancellation of over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching appointments by the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC), affected educators have voiced strong criticism of the state government's response, calling Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assurances insufficient and symbolic.

Following a meeting with the Chief Minister on Monday, several terminated teachers described the interaction as disappointing, accusing the state government of evading responsibility. They claimed that what was offered in the name of support was nothing more than a political pacifier.

Suman Biswas, one of the affected teachers, accused the state’s top leadership of complicity in the alleged recruitment irregularities. “The state government, the Chief Minister, her cabinet, and the commission are all responsible. Bribes were taken in exchange for jobs, and now, the CM is offering a ‘lollipop’ by promising voluntary placements for 25,000 individuals and a vague promise to look into the issue,” Biswas stated. “This is the land of Khudiram. We know how to resist. Employment is our right. We demand transparency — the government must publish the names of those who were legitimately appointed and file a review petition in the Supreme Court. We are ready for a mass movement.”

Another educator, Meenakshi Singh, expressed anguish at being labelled “ineligible” despite having fulfilled all recruitment requirements. “I have every document to prove my eligibility. I followed due process. Yet, my job was taken away under false pretenses. The stain of being called unqualified is unjustified,” Singh said. “We are being asked to accept vague promises instead of concrete resolutions. We are not mentally prepared to reappear for exams. We have families, responsibilities, and futures at stake.”

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the terminated teachers, reaffirming her administration’s commitment to ensuring continued employment for all genuinely qualified individuals. She assured that alternative arrangements would be made within two months and promised that no deserving teacher would be abandoned by the government.

“There is a deliberate attempt to sabotage the education system,” Banerjee said during the meeting. “These are educators of classes 9 through 12 — gateways to higher education. Many of them are gold medalists and high achievers. Branding them as ‘incompetent’ is unjust. Who gave that authority?”

Banerjee further criticized the Supreme Court ruling, expressing her dismay at the implications. “I may face legal consequences for saying this, but I cannot accept this judgment. The Supreme Court has not yet provided a list identifying those who are eligible yet dismissed. Until that list is made public, how can justice be ensured?”

The Chief Minister reiterated that protecting the livelihood of qualified individuals remains a core responsibility of her government. “It is my lifelong commitment to defend the dignity and employment rights of our educators,” she said.

The controversy stems from the apex court’s April 3 decision to uphold the Calcutta High Court's order canceling the 2016 recruitment process conducted by the SSC, citing widespread irregularities. The ruling affects more than 25,000 appointments made in government and government-aided schools across West Bengal — a judgment that has now triggered political tremors and widespread unrest among affected teaching staff.