Kolkata, 10 April (H.S.) — Kolkata Police have registered two cases against teaching and non-teaching staff members who lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order. The cases were filed after protesters clashed with the police outside the office of the District Inspector of Schools (DI) at Kasba in South Kolkata on Wednesday, leading to a lathi-charge and multiple injuries.

According to police sources, one case was registered suo motu, while the second was based on a complaint filed by the office of the District Inspector of Schools.

The protestors, reportedly “genuine” candidates, were demanding that the state government and the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) distinguish between “tainted” candidates—allegedly those who secured jobs through bribery—and those who were legitimately appointed.

Notably, the Supreme Court had last week upheld an April 2024 order of the Calcutta High Court's division bench, which cancelled the entire panel of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching appointments. The court cited the failure of the state government and the commission to properly separate genuine candidates from tainted ones as the reason behind its decision.

On Wednesday, tensions escalated when protestors attempted to break police barricades and forcefully enter the DI office premises, resulting in police action to restore order.

State Education Minister Bratya Basu, the Chief Secretary, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner defended the police action. The Commissioner described it as “mild action” necessary to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

Following the registration of the two cases, opposition parties launched a scathing attack on the state government. Leaders from both the BJP and CPI(M) criticized the administration, calling it insensitive towards the plight of the genuine candidates. At the time of filing this report, there was no official reaction from any Trinamool Congress leader.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh