West Bengal: 1,000 Jobless Teachers Launch Sit-in Demanding Recruitment After Court Rulings

Over 1,000 teachers, members of the ‘Deserving Teachers’ Forum’, launched a sit-in protest on Monday, September 7, 2026, outside the West Bengal Education Department headquarters, ‘Bikash Bhavan’, in Salt Lake, adjacent to Kolkata. The teachers are demanding immediate recruitment after losing their jobs due to court rulings that cited irregularities in the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) exams.

The agitators, part of the 25,753 teachers and other staffers whose appointments were invalidated, are seeking an audience with School Education Minister Dipak Barman and intervention from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to fast-track a transparent recruitment process. This protest follows a series of legal battles and ongoing demonstrations since April 2025, highlighting the severe impact on thousands of educators.

West Bengal Teacher Job Loss: Background and Court Rulings

The jobs of over 25,753 teachers and other staff were invalidated following a Calcutta High Court ruling in April 2024, which cited widespread irregularities in the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) exams. This decision was next upheld by the Supreme Court of India in December 2024, with the final ruling in 2025. The Supreme Court has set a deadline of May 30, 2027, for the state government to conduct new recruitment tests for the affected 2016 SSC candidates.

The West Bengal school recruitment scam initially came to light in July 2022 with the arrest of former State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This scandal has led to extensive investigations by both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), uncovering the depth of the irregularities that ultimately led to the mass invalidation of appointments.

Teachers’ Demands and Political Expectations

The ‘Deserving Teachers’ Forum’, led by Subrata Biswas, took out a procession from Karunamoyee Crossing in Salt Lake before commencing their sit-in at Bikash Bhavan. Biswas stated, “We demand an audience with School Education Minister Dipak Barman, and intervention of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari into the issue.” He further expressed hope, saying, “We believe the BJP, which had expressed solidarity with the jobless teachers during the TMC regime, will stand by us and fast-track the transparent recruitment of eligible educators.”

The West Bengal government issued a notification for 44,203 vacancies for teachers on May 31, a move that the protesting teachers hope will pave the way for their re-appointment. However, the current sit-in underscores their urgency for the state to expedite the process and provide clarity on their future.

Impact on Jobless Teachers: Personal Stories and Challenges

The invalidation of jobs has had a profound personal impact on the affected teachers. Payel Dutta, one of the teachers who lost her job, shared her predicament: “When I took the exam in 2016, I was unmarried and did not have a child; I had free time to prepare. Now, I have in-laws also to care for. I will have to compete with younger people to get re-appointed at a job which I worked hard to get.”

Smritikana Roy, another affected teacher, recounted the hardships faced during previous protests: “We were beaten up, dragged on the roads, and we have even shed blood on the streets. We have lost all self-respect. Our students see us sitting on the roads, getting baton-charged by the police. Will they ever respect us like before?” Rajat Haldar, a physics teacher from Subhash Nagar High School in South 24 Parganas, also highlighted his deteriorating health due to prolonged protests, stating, “It is difficult for me to stay in the sun for too long now. My head starts throbbing.”

Police Response and Allegations of Force

Previous protests by the teachers have sometimes led to confrontations with the West Bengal police. Supratim Sarkar, a police official, had previously defended the police’s actions, stating, “We used minimal force. We understand they have lost their jobs, but they broke barricades, used force to get inside Bikash Bhawan, and did not allow over 500 employees to leave the premises.”

However, Chinmoy Mondal, a representative of the Deserving Teachers Rights Forum, countered these claims, stating, “They call this minimal force? It left us with fractures, head and eye injuries, and blood loss.” These accounts highlight the ongoing tension and physical toll on the protesting teachers as they continue their struggle for re-employment.

Key Dates and Events in West Bengal Teacher Recruitment Scam

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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