Kolkata, India: Unemployed individuals who participated in the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment process in West Bengal have begun an indefinite demonstration in front of the SSC office in Salt Lake starting Thursday. This action signifies an escalation of their ongoing protests, where they are demanding the public release of the qualified candidates’ list and increased transparency in the hiring procedures.
The protesting group, which had been holding a continuous sit-in since Wednesday, has now intensified their agitation by commencing a hunger strike. During a press briefing held on Thursday, the demonstrators, organized under the banner of the 2016 SSC Legitimate Jobless Candidates’ Association, clearly outlined their demands and declared their intention to remain at the protest site until their grievances are addressed.
Key Demands
Publication of the list of eligible yet unemployed candidates from the 2016 recruitment drive.
Release of scanned copies of OMR answer sheets to ensure greater transparency.
Accountability for alleged excessive force by the police, particularly the recent baton charge on protesting candidates in Kasba.
Pankaj Roy, a teacher from Sardaranga High School, became the first to commence the hunger strike. He is expected to be joined by three more candidates in the ongoing fast. The protesters allege that they were denied basic necessities such as tents during their peaceful overnight demonstration, claiming non-cooperation from the police.
Background
The 2016 SSC recruitment process has been plagued by controversy, with numerous allegations of irregularities in the appointment of both teaching and non-teaching staff. Despite assurances from the SSC Chairman regarding the publication of the eligible candidates’ list, a specific timeline has not been provided.
The protesting candidates maintain that the scanned copies of OMR sheets are already digitally available, implying no justifiable reason for the delay in their release.
“We have received repeated assurances about the list’s release, but concrete dates are never provided. If the state government and the SSC are truly committed to fairness, this process should not be prolonged,” stated Suman Biswas, a spokesperson for the protesting candidates.
Political Support and Widening Protest
The demonstration gained momentum on Thursday with visits from BJP leaders Rupa Ganguly, Rudranil Ghosh, and former SSC Chairmen Chittaranjan Mondal and Abhijit Ganguly, who met with the protesting candidates at the site.
The scope of the protest is also expanding beyond Kolkata. On Wednesday, SSC candidates across the state conducted marches to the offices of District Inspectors of Schools. Reports indicate that police used force in Kasba during these demonstrations, leading to strong condemnation. Consequently, a protest march from Sealdah to Rani Rashmoni Road has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon, to be followed by a larger campaign at the SSC office on Friday.
“We are prepared for any sacrifice,” Suman asserted, reiterating the group’s decision to continue their indefinite hunger strike. “We earnestly request the support of civil society.”
Earlier in the week, Member of Parliament Abhijit Ganguly, who accompanied the protesters in a meeting with SSC Chairman Siddhartha Majumdar, gave the commission a two-day ultimatum to release the scanned OMR sheets. The protest group has warned of intensified agitations starting Saturday if this demand is not met
