Bengal Recruitment Scam Fallout: Sacked Teachers March in Kolkata, Demand OMR Sheets to Prove Innocence

Thousands of teachers and non-teaching staff in West Bengal, whose appointments were recently nullified by the Calcutta High Court due to the ongoing school recruitment scam, took to the streets of Kolkata. Their primary demand is the immediate release of their OMR sheets, which they believe will vindicate them and prove their recruitment was legitimate amidst the widespread allegations of corruption.

Kolkata Streets Witness Protest by Teachers Affected by Recruitment Scam

Braving the Kolkata heat, a significant number of teachers and non-teaching staff participated in a protest march. Here are the key details of the demonstration:

• Route: The march commenced from College Square and proceeded towards the Metro Channel in the Esplanade area, a prominent location in central Kolkata.
• Participants: The protestors were among the 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff whose appointments, made by the School Service Commission (SSC) in 2016, were cancelled by the court.
• Core Message: Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans, asserting their innocence. They claim they secured their jobs fairly and are now victims of corruption involving others. They vehemently deny paying bribes for their positions.

One protestor was quoted stating, “We are victims of circumstances… We didn’t get jobs by adopting unfair means… Why should we suffer for the corruption of others?” This sentiment reflects the collective frustration and plea for fairness from the affected individuals.

The Heart of the Matter: Calcutta High Court Ruling and the SSC Scam

The protest stems directly from a landmark ruling by the Calcutta High Court.

The court nullified the appointments made through the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC). The decision came after investigations revealed significant irregularities and alleged corruption in the recruitment process.

While the Supreme Court later stayed the High Court’s order concerning the cancellation of jobs, providing temporary relief to the teachers, it allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to continue its probe into the alleged scam. This includes investigating potential roles of state government officials and politicians.

Why OMR Sheets Are Crucial: Teachers Demand Transparency

The central demand of the protesting teachers is the release of their OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheets.

They believe these sheets hold the key to proving their eligibility and demonstrating that they passed the recruitment tests legitimately. By making these documents public, the teachers hope to:

• Establish their individual innocence.
• Distinguish themselves from those who may have secured jobs through illegal means.
• Counter the narrative that all appointments made in 2016 were fraudulent.

The teachers argue that withholding the OMR sheets prevents them from clearing their names and adds to their distress following the job cancellation order.

CBI Investigation Continues Amidst Protests

The West Bengal school recruitment scam remains under active investigation by the CBI, as permitted by the Supreme Court. The probe is looking into the larger conspiracy, including the alleged involvement of influential figures in manipulating the recruitment process. The teachers’ protest highlights the human cost of the scam, affecting thousands who maintain they followed the rules.

What’s Next for West Bengal’s Teachers? Share Your Thoughts

The situation remains tense as thousands of teachers fight to clear their names and potentially regain their livelihoods amidst a complex legal battle and ongoing investigation into the Bengal recruitment scam. The demand for OMR sheets underscores their call for transparency.

What are your thoughts on the teachers’ protest and their demand for OMR sheets? Share your views in the comments below.