Kolkata, India: Even as the shockwaves from the Supreme Court’s cancellation of approximately 25,735 jobs in the 2016 SSC recruitment scam continue to ripple across West Bengal, a new development has stirred fresh hope—mingled with anxiety—among affected teachers. The salary portal for schools has reopened, and notably, it still includes the names of all those whose appointments were annulled.
The inclusion has surprised many. With fears running high that their names would be removed altogether, teachers and education workers—deemed unemployed after the apex court’s verdict—have found a glimmer of relief. However, that relief is far from complete. The pressing question now is whether salary disbursal will follow, or if the presence of names on the portal is merely symbolic.
Schools typically update salary-related data between the 1st and 10th of each month. According to headmasters and school officials, they do not have the authority to add or remove names from the portal.
“Our role is limited to updating changes in income tax or provident fund contributions. Any omission or continuation must come directly from higher authorities—which has not yet happened,” said a head teacher from North 24 Parganas district.
Board moves SC for salary clearance
In a move that brings some hope, the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education has petitioned the Supreme Court to allow these teachers to receive their pending salaries. Education Minister Bratya Basu also stepped in, assuring that necessary legal action is being taken. He promised a meeting with the affected teachers within the week to address their concerns.
Despite these developments, uncertainty remains the dominant mood.
Mehboob Mandal, convener of the Qualified Teachers’ and Teachers’ Rights Forum, cautioned, “It’s a positive sign that names haven’t been removed. But without a formal directive or amendment, receiving salary could backfire. What if we’re asked to return the money with interest?”
Escalating protests and clashes across Bengal
As fear and frustration grow, protests have erupted across the state. Since Wednesday morning, groups of affected teachers have been storming the offices of Education Inspectors (DI) in several districts, demanding immediate reinstatement.
In Kolkata, tensions escalated at the Kasba DI office where clashes broke out between police and protestors. Several teachers and police personnel sustained injuries. Allegations of police brutality—including the use of batons and kicks—have surfaced. While Police Commissioner Manoj Verma described the incident as “undesirable,” he claimed that only “light force” was used in response to aggressive behavior by protestors.
Chief Secretary Manoj Pant appealed to protesters to remain calm, stressing the importance of upholding the law. “If public property is threatened, the police cannot stand by passively,” he said.
However, demonstrators accused law enforcement of unprovoked aggression and excessive force. On Wednesday night, a group of teachers staged a sit-in outside the DI office, refusing to leave until the SSC’s mirror image data is publicly released. Tensions remain high as more demonstrations are planned.
Upcoming demonstrations and protest schedule
On Thursday, protestors are scheduled to march from Sealdah to Rani Rashmoni Road in Kolkata. A larger protest is planned for Friday, with demonstrators set to gather outside various DI offices before marching to a crucial education department meeting chaired by Minister Bratya Basu.
With anxiety running high and trust in administrative processes severely shaken, the fate of the 25,735 affected teachers hangs in balance—caught between court orders, bureaucratic inertia, and a growing wave of public dissent.
