Teachers Unite: West Bengal Schools Recruitment Protest Erupts Outside Assembly, Sparking Clash with Police
Job seekers in West Bengal took to the streets on September 11, 2025, staging protests outside the state assembly to demand employment in government schools. The demonstration, which caught authorities off guard, quickly escalated, resulting in clashes between the protesters and police forces in Kolkata.
Despite successfully clearing the West Bengal Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) in 2022, many of the protesters claimed they had yet to secure positions in the state’s public education system. The protests were not initially planned for the assembly’s vicinity, but as hundreds of aspirants marched from Esplanade’s Dorina Crossing towards the assembly, tensions rose. The area, known for its high security due to the proximity of key government institutions, including the Calcutta High Court and the Governor’s residence, prohibited unauthorized gatherings.
One of the demonstrators, visibly distressed, pleaded, “They are beating us up. We cannot take this torture anymore; we want jobs.” The group had been vocal in urging Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to address their concerns. During the tumult, police attempted to disperse the crowd, leading to instances of force. Many demonstrators were forcibly removed and taken away in police vans, while others resorted to lying down on the streets in an effort to maintain their protest.
Tensions escalated as police reinforcements arrived, with the initial response proving inadequate for the large gathering. Deputy Commissioner of Police – Central Division Indira Mukherjee was present at the scene, monitoring the situation. Frustrated with the government’s inaction, one teacher lamented, “We have been waiting for more than three years after clearing our exams. They must recruit us in the 50,000 vacant posts in primary and upper primary school teacher roles.”
Adding to the complexity of the situation, demonstrators were seen carrying posters of former Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, echoing slogans that criticized the state government. Protesters warned, “Mamata Banerjee, learn something from the Nepal PM. Once the youth gets angry, you will not be able to control the situation anymore.”
As the day progressed, additional protests erupted outside the residence of Education Minister Bratya Basu in the Kalindi area. In response to the unrest, Basu acknowledged the lack of specific data regarding vacant positions, stating, “The districts have to send this data. Once the reports come in, we will publish a notification soon.” He assured that their statewide survey of vacant positions in schools was nearly complete and indicated that the protests were losing relevance as notifications would be forthcoming.
The demonstrators also garnered support from the ‘untainted’ teachers from the 2016 panel of the West Bengal School Service Commission, who had lost their jobs following a Supreme Court ruling in April 2023. After more than five months of their own protests for reinstatement without success, these teachers now find themselves competing anew for roles alongside over 500,000 candidates.
As the situation unfolds, the aspirations and frustrations of these job seekers continue to echo through the streets of Kolkata, highlighting the urgency for action from the West Bengal government to address the pressing need for educational employment.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/west-bengal-schools-recruitment-aspiring-teachers-protest-outside-assembly-clash-with-police/article70038180.ece
Category : West Bengal
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Publish Date: 2025-09-12 10:42:00
