West Bengal Police Allege Teachers’ Rally Linked to Violence Plot

Quick Summary

• A group of protesting teachers under the Chakrihara Yogya Shiksha mancha plans a march to the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) headquarters in Bidhannagar on August 18, 2025.
• This protest stems from the annulling of about 25,000 teacher and non-teaching staff appointments. The Supreme Court invalidated the WBSSC’s 2016 recruitment panel on April 3, 2025.
• Deputy Commissioner of Police Anish Sarkar released an audio recording allegedly revealing plans to incite violence during Monday’s march.
• Mr. Sarkar urged protesters to remain cautious and confirmed that no police permission was granted for this march.
• Protest organizer Sumon Biswas denied these allegations and stated that their aim is peaceful discussions with the WBSSC chairman over re-examinations.
• Teachers are pushing against appearing for fresh recruitment exams despite previous promises by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assuring them job security post-annulment.
• The school recruitment scam has had political repercussions in West Bengal, including former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee’s arrest in July 2022.

Indian Opinion analysis

The ongoing protests tie into deep grievances over fairness and job security within a backdrop of systemic corruption in public service appointments. The Supreme Court’s annulment underscores judicial intervention aimed at rectifying malpractice; however, it also left many individuals grappling with losses they may feel were unjustified if their appointments were legitimate. While accountability is essential to restoring public trust, ensuring just outcomes for those affected remains equally critical.

The emerging accusations against both police and organizers underscore a lack of mutual confidence-and risks further polarizing affected stakeholders as well as damaging already frayed relationships between citizens and governing authorities. Amidst repeated assurances from state leadership on safeguarding livelihoods, clarity around remedial frameworks can help navigate tensions while emphasizing clear and merit-based future processes.

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