Protesting teacher goes bald outside Bikash Bhavan

Teachers from the "2016 Eligible Teacher Rights Platform" have been protesting at Dharmatala in Kolkata, demanding resolution over their job status ahead of a crucial Supreme Court hearing on January 7. The protest has gained attention after several days of sit-ins, with one teacher shaving their head in symbolic protest. The teachers are calling for a fair decision on their employment after years of service in government schools.

The issue revolves around the appointments of 26,000 teachers by the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) in 2016. These appointments were contested in court by unsuccessful job aspirants, leading to legal challenges. Following hearings in the Kolkata High Court, Justice Subrata Talukdar ruled that the appointments of these 26,000 teachers should be annulled, declaring them ineligible based on the legal disputes surrounding their recruitment. The case has now been moved to the Supreme Court, where it is set for a hearing on January 7 to determine whether the teachers' jobs will be reinstated or canceled.

The teachers, many of whom have served for several years, are concerned that despite being qualified, they may lose their positions. They argue that the judgment should only apply to those who were unlawfully appointed or did not meet eligibility criteria, and not to qualified teachers who have been working for up to seven years. As part of their demands, the teachers are urging the West Bengal government to intervene, calling for legal support to protect their employment and ensure a fair resolution of the case.

In addition to the Dharmatala protest, the teachers organized a march to Bikas Bhavan in Salt Lake. However, police had set up barricades along the route and deployed a significant number of officers, preventing the marchers from reaching their destination. The protestors have continued to press for government intervention and the preservation of their jobs as the legal battle continues. With the case pending, the teachers remain focused on the January 7 hearing, hoping for a favorable outcome that will secure their positions.