Police Halt Non-Teaching Staff’s March to Bengal Secretariat

Quick Summary:

• Hundreds of Group C and D non-teaching staff in West Bengal staged a march too the state secretariat Nabanna on July 8, 2025, demanding job reinstatement following termination due to recruitment corruption by the SSC.
• Protesters were stopped three kilometers away from Nabanna under the Bankim Setu by police and denied an audience with chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or Chief Secretary.
• The supreme Court annulled these appointments in April based on large-scale corruption in the SSCS 2016 recruitment process, removing 25,753 appointees including teachers and non-teaching staff.
• Agitators claimed they were unfairly affected despite being “untainted” and demanded immediate reinstatement of 3,394 non-teaching staff as well as a certified list identifying eligible personnel.
• Many protesters accused both the state government and SSC of mishandling segregation between tainted and untainted individuals before presenting evidence in court.
• Demonstrators vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met.

Indian opinion Analysis:

The protest highlights unresolved grievances stemming from systemic irregularities within West Bengal’s education recruitment processes. While the Supreme Court’s decision aimed to restore fairness after widespread corruption, its sweeping annulment appears to have penalized some employees who claim they acquired jobs legitimately. The lack of differentiation between “untainted” recruits and fraudulent appointments exacerbates tensions.

The state’s refusal to directly engage with demonstrators points toward strained interaction on critical issues affecting livelihoods. With nearly six months left for fresh recruitments ordered by the Supreme Court, questions remain about how effectively authorities can balance accountability for past misconduct with ensuring justice for genuine candidates. This issue underscores broader challenges related to transparency within public sector hiring practices across India.

Read More: Source