Sukanta Majumdar Backs Qualified Teachers Amid West Bengal SSC Protest: “Jobs Must Not Be Taken from the Deserving”
BJP West Bengal chief Sukanta Majumdar has weighed in on the SSC protest, supporting those who were fairly selected and urging the state to protect the careers of qualified teachers.
Key Highlights:
The ongoing West Bengal SSC teachers protest over the annulment of thousands of appointments in the 2016 recruitment drive has triggered a political and social storm. BJP West Bengal President Sukanta Majumdar on April 22 publicly voiced support for qualified candidates, urging that their jobs be protected despite the court’s order to cancel the entire list.
The protests follow the Supreme Court’s April 3 verdict, which upheld a Calcutta High Court ruling that found significant irregularities in the School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment process. The verdict has rendered nearly 25,753 teachers and staff jobless, prompting state-wide agitation.
Sukanta Majumdar: “Qualified Candidates Must Not Suffer”
Speaking to reporters, Sukanta Majumdar said:
“Those who are genuinely qualified must be allowed to keep their jobs. The entire recruitment process may have been flawed, but it is not right to punish those who were selected on merit.”
Majumdar criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led state government, accusing it of allowing deep-rooted corruption within the education sector. He alleged that political favoritism and bribery were rampant in the 2016 SSC process, causing injustice to thousands of deserving candidates.
Teachers Protest Intensifies Across West Bengal
- 🚨 Teachers have been protesting in Kolkata, Hooghly, and Murshidabad, staging sit-ins and hunger strikes.
- 📜 Many are demanding publication of a qualified vs unqualified list to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent appointees.
- 🧑🏫 Educators argue that blanket cancellation is a violation of natural justice for those who followed the rules.
Timeline of Events: SSC Recruitment Scam to Supreme Court Verdict
- 2016: SSC conducted recruitment for teachers and non-teaching staff in West Bengal schools.
- 2021: Allegations surface of manipulation, bribes, and backdoor entries.
- 2023: Calcutta High Court declares the panel “illegal” and recommends cancellation.
- April 2025: Supreme Court upholds the decision, affecting 25,753 appointees.
Political Fallout and State Response
The TMC government has come under severe fire for its handling of the crisis. While Education Minister Bratya Basu has promised that a “review mechanism” will be introduced to protect eligible teachers, many are skeptical.
Meanwhile, Majumdar demanded:
- 🔍 An independent inquiry to identify and remove only the fraudulent candidates
- ⚖️ Job protection for teachers who cleared TET and were selected transparently
- 📢 Immediate communication from the SSC and Education Department to clarify the path ahead
How to Take Action
- 📑 Affected teachers are advised to retain all documentation proving their eligibility and appointment process
- 🧑⚖️ Legal options remain open for individual writ petitions challenging wrongful termination
- 📢 Stakeholders can write to the State Education Department and Governor seeking redressal
Who Will Be Affected
- 🎓 Qualified teachers and staff, now left without jobs or clarity
- 🧑🎓 Students, especially in rural Bengal, who may face teacher shortages
- 🏛️ The state government, facing mounting political pressure before Lok Sabha polls
- 🗳️ BJP and opposition parties, using the controversy to target the ruling TMC
SSC Protest Turns Spotlight on Need for Clean Education Recruitment
The West Bengal SSC teachers protest has turned into a landmark moment for the state’s education sector. With Sukanta Majumdar throwing his support behind merit and justice, the focus is now on whether the TMC government will take corrective action or face political fallout.
The issue is no longer just administrative—it has become a litmus test for governance, transparency, and accountability in West Bengal’s education system.
Stay updated with the latest from Hindustan Herald — your trusted source for
Politics, Business, Sports, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Breaking News, and More.
📲 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube
🔔 Join our Telegram channel @hindustanherald for real-time news alerts.
