Teachers ousted by SC ruling protest outside Bengal education office, seek job restoration

A large number of school teachers who lost their jobs following a Supreme Court ruling gathered outside the West Bengal Education Department office in Salt Lake on May 15, demanding that their employment be reinstated.

The protest took place at Bikash Bhavan, the office of the education minister, and caused significant traffic disruptions in the area.

Demonstrators attempted to breach police barricades on the approach road as they pressed for the restoration of their positions.

The demonstration follows the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a Calcutta High Court verdict that invalidated the appointments of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff due to widespread irregularities in the 2016 recruitment process.

In response to the crisis, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced temporary monthly financial assistance for the affected employees.

“Group C and Group D employees whose appointments were terminated will receive ₹25,000 and ₹20,000, respectively, under the newly introduced West Bengal Livelihood and Social Security Scheme,” Banerjee said.

She added that the scheme, approved by the state cabinet, would be implemented from April 1, 2025, and administered through the state labor department.