(Image source from: Twitter.com/AITCofficial)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a commitment to safeguard the positions of "deserving" teachers whose appointments were annulled due to a Supreme Court ruling. In her speech at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium, she highlighted the example of the all-India medical entrance examination, NEET, noting that the Supreme Court did not invalidate the entire exam in that instance. "The Supreme Court needs to specify who qualifies as deserving. Please provide us the list. No one has the authority to disrupt the educational system. In the Vyapam scandal in Madhya Pradesh, which is governed by the BJP, numerous individuals lost their lives, and justice remains elusive. Despite various allegations surrounding NEET, the Supreme Court chose not to annul the examination. Why is West Bengal being singled out? We wish to understand. It seems there is a fear of Bengal's potential," she expressed to the assembly of dismissed educators.
Banerjee stated, "Should the Supreme Court offer clarity, we would be thankful. If it does not, we will devise a solution and support you. Endure for two months, and you won't have to endure for two decades. I will also ensure compensation for that two-month period. You will not need to plead." Recently, the Supreme Court revoked the appointments of over 25,000 teachers and school personnel hired by the West Bengal School Service Commission in 2016 due to significant irregularities uncovered in the recruitment process. The court highlighted that this situation is one "where the entire selection process has been corrupted beyond repair."
The ruling described widespread manipulation and fraud as well as an attempted concealment that severely damaged the integrity of the selection process. The credibility and legality of the selections have been fundamentally undermined, stated the panel led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar. The order also made clear that the School Service Commission had openly acknowledged various discrepancies, including: (i) preferential ranking, meaning that candidates with lower ranks were favored over those with higher ranks, (ii) appointments from outside the shortlisted panel, where candidates not included in the panel were selected and appointed, (iii) candidates who were not approved by WBSSC were appointed by the Board, and (iv) the manipulation of OMR results. Furthermore, the court pointed out that the School Service Commission had destroyed the OMR sheets and found "no justification" for such actions.
Despite having credible proof and factual evidence pointing towards irregularities, WBSSC initially attempted to conceal the missteps and illegal actions. This attempt at a cover-up has complicated the process of verification and investigation, rendering it extremely challenging, if not impossible, due to the extensive measures taken to disguise the issues at every phase. There is a belief that the entire selection process was deliberately undermined due to the illegal activities involved, it was stated. The court ruled that candidates who are not implicated in any wrongdoing will not have to return the salaries they have earned over the years, although their employment will be terminated. Additionally, the court instructed the state government to conduct a new recruitment process within three months.
Facing criticism, Mamata Banerjee has countered by asserting that the opposition, specifically BJP and CPM, is orchestrating a plot aimed at destabilizing the state's education system. In her remarks directed at her opponents, she said, "You have influence everywhere, but do not take jobs away from teachers to attack me. Remember, an injured tiger is more perilous. This is a direct assault on our government."
"We must comply with the court’s decision and seek clarification while also preparing to file a review petition," she mentioned, encouraging teachers to continue their work as they have not yet received termination notices. Previously, teachers present at the meeting expressed their unwillingness to retake an exam to maintain their positions. One teacher declared, "We will initiate a review petition and will advocate for both the West Bengal government and the School Service Commission to do the same."
