Unemployed Teachers Launch Statewide Protests in West Bengal

KKN Gurugram Desk | A fresh wave of protests has begun across West Bengal as thousands of unemployed teachers—disqualified following a Supreme Court ruling—have announced that they will not appear for any re-examination. Starting Sunday, the aggrieved teachers plan to hold protest demonstrations not only in Kolkata but across multiple districts throughout the state.

This marks a new phase in what has become a prolonged and emotional struggle for justice, legitimacy, and livelihoods for these educators, many of whom had been working for years before the verdict stripped them of their jobs.

Background: Supreme Court Order and Job Loss

In a significant ruling delivered recently, the Supreme Court of India annulled the appointments of several teachers in West Bengal after finding irregularities in the state-run School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment process. The judgment impacted thousands of teachers who had been working in primary and secondary schools under appointments now deemed invalid.

The decision sent shockwaves across the education sector, and more importantly, upended the lives of many who had spent years in public service and now find themselves jobless overnight.

Teachers Say No to Re-Examination

A key point of contention in the current protest is the demand that teachers retake the recruitment examination. According to the affected candidates, this suggestion is both humiliating and unfair.

“We cleared the exam once. We have already proved our eligibility. Forcing us to go through the same process again is not only unjust but also disregards our years of service,” said one protester at Central Park, Kolkata.

The teachers argue that they have invested both time and effort to become qualified educators. Many had even undergone training programs, earned certificates, and held positions in schools before the judicial order nullified their appointments.

District-Level Protests Begin from Sunday

The movement, which had thus far been concentrated in Kolkata—particularly around locations such as Vikas Bhavan and Central Park (Salt Lake)—is now expanding. Starting June 2, protests will spread to districts across West Bengal, marking a strategic shift to take the issue to a broader public level.

Organizers say the goal is not just to express dissent but to raise awareness among the general public.

“We will go district to district and tell people what has happened to us. The government needs to hear the voice of the people,” said another teacher from Nadia district.

A week-long program of events is being planned in various districts including Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Bardhaman, Bankura, and Darjeeling.

Protests Escalate: From Hunger Strikes to Semi-Nude Marches

In recent weeks, protest methods have become increasingly dramatic. On Friday, unemployed teachers staged a semi-nude march through parts of Kolkata—a symbolic act of despair and defiance.

Hunger strikes, sit-ins, candlelight vigils, and overnight protests have also become common sights. Some demonstrators have camped outside administrative buildings, refusing to leave until their demands are acknowledged.

Despite this, the government has yet to offer a clear alternative path or compromise, instead suggesting that candidates appear for fresh recruitment exams to validate their eligibility.

Impact on Families and Mental Health

Many of the affected teachers had been working for several years, some even close to a decade. The sudden loss of employment has caused a severe financial and emotional toll on thousands of families.

Numerous teachers have spoken about how their children’s education, household expenses, and healthcare needs are now under threat.

“We had stable jobs. We were serving the future of this country. And now, we are being treated like criminals for an error we didn’t even commit,” said a former secondary school teacher.

Mental health professionals in Kolkata report a rise in stress-related cases from the teaching community in recent weeks. Several protestors have fainted during demonstrations due to heat and exhaustion, highlighting the physical risks involved in the continued agitation.

Political Reactions and Government’s Stand

While the opposition parties have criticized the government for mismanaging the education recruitment process, the West Bengal government has so far defended the legal requirement of retesting. Government representatives claim that they are bound by the Supreme Court’s directive and must ensure a transparent reappointment procedure.

However, the protesting teachers argue that the state should file a curative petition or seek a review of the Supreme Court verdict, thereby attempting to restore their positions without subjecting them to another round of competitive exams.

Political analysts suggest that the issue could become a flashpoint in the upcoming state assembly elections in West Bengal. Several student and teachers’ unions have already extended their support to the protestors.

Legal Experts Divided on Retesting Clause

Legal experts remain divided on the implications of the court’s verdict. Some support the court’s firm stand on transparency and meritocracy in public employment, while others believe that the judgment does not account for the human cost of its implementation.

“The rule of law must be balanced with principles of fairness. Requiring candidates to retest after years of service could be viewed as disproportionate punishment,” said a senior legal consultant based in Delhi.

Teachers’ Main Demands

The protesting teachers have listed the following primary demands:

1. Reinstatement without Re-examination – Citing their earlier qualification and years of service.

2. Government Representation in Court – Requesting the state to advocate on their behalf in higher judicial forums.

3. Compensation for Mental and Financial Trauma – For the sudden loss of livelihood.

4. Action Against Recruitment Officials – Holding accountable those responsible for flawed recruitment.

A Human Rights Issue?

Several civil rights groups have now taken note of the protests and are considering taking up the issue with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). They argue that sudden dismissal without due rehabilitation mechanisms could be a violation of economic rights under Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life and Livelihood).

The Teachers’ Association of India has also issued a public statement calling the treatment of educators “unjust, undemocratic, and deeply insensitive.”

What Happens Next?

As of June 1, the state government has not proposed any new solutions. With protests intensifying and spreading across the districts, the political pressure is expected to mount.

The week-long agitation planned across multiple locations in West Bengal may determine the course of this issue. If public sentiment swings in favor of the teachers, the government may be forced to revisit its stand.

Teachers, meanwhile, are preparing for a long haul.

“This is not just about jobs. This is about dignity, identity, and the betrayal we’ve faced from the system we trusted,” a protester concluded before joining a district march.