The controversy over the cancellation of the teacher recruitment process in West Bengal has taken a new turn. Many political figures, including BJP leaders and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, have expressed their concern in this matter. While the BJP is attacking the Mamata Banerjee government on this issue, Rahul Gandhi has also made his stand clear. In a letter to President Draupadi Murmu, the Congress leader has urged her to intervene in the matter, especially in the case of qualified teachers who have been affected by the judicial cancellation of the recruitment process.
Rahul Gandhi appeals to President Murmu to intervene
In his letter to President Murmu, Rahul Gandhi expressed his deep concern over the fate of thousands of qualified teachers in West Bengal. These teachers lost their jobs after the teacher recruitment process was cancelled by the judiciary. Gandhi mentioned that Shikshak Shiksha Adhikar Manch, a forum representing the affected teachers, had approached him and requested him to write a letter to the President. He attached a copy of the delegation’s representation with his letter. The Congress leader highlighted that the Calcutta High Court had found serious irregularities in the recruitment process, which led to the entire process being quashed, a decision that was later upheld by the Supreme Court on April 3.
Fairly selected teachers also affected, says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said the court’s decision has led to the removal of “tainted” teachers selected through unfair means as well as “clean” teachers selected through a fair recruitment process. He emphasised that any criminal activity during the recruitment process must be condemned and wrongdoers brought to justice, but treating all teachers – both fairly and unfairly selected – equally is gross injustice. He argued that by doing so, the government is punishing those who were appointed through fair processes, resulting in innocent teachers losing their livelihoods.
Impact on students and teachers’ families
The Congress leader warned that the arbitrary dismissal of teachers will have serious consequences on West Bengal’s education system. He said the removal of qualified teachers would directly affect the education of millions of students who would have to attend classes without adequate teachers. In addition, the families of the dismissed teachers would be left without their only source of income. Gandhi expressed his concern over the human cost of the situation and urged the President to sympathetically consider the teachers’ request, encouraging the government to take appropriate action to allow impartially selected teachers to continue their work.
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