Their dharna over an alleged scam involving a minister and officials crossed 600 days.
Their dharna over an alleged scam involving a minister and officials crossed 600 days.
Opposing candidates selected as school teachers in 2016 but never got a job Emerging as a symbol of resilience and hope, Kolkata last week with its dharna of over 600 days and garnering support from various groups.
The arrests of high-profile officials, including the former West Bengal education minister, in recent months have suddenly put the focus on them. Partha Chatterjee – who were allegedly part of a scam in which ineligible candidates were recruited as teachers in exchange for bribes.
“Even though more than 8,000 fake recruitments (appointment of ineligible candidates) have come to the fore, the deprived candidates are yet to get justice. We hope that the High Court and the state government together will give us justice. Hindu,
His protest began in 2019, when he staged a sit-in at the Press Club for 29 days. Then, in January 2021, they sat in Salt Lake City’s Central Park for 187 days before being removed by police. Finally, they shifted to the Gandhi statue in the ground, where they have been sitting in protest since October 8, 2021.
About 250 of the protesting candidates had passed the state level selection test conducted by the West Bengal School Commission in 2016 but never received the appointment letter. Many of them come from small towns in West Bengal and, while they hope to become teachers in government schools someday, are earning a living through tuition. They allow in turn – 30 people at a time, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – to keep alive their peaceful demonstration at the Gandhi statue.
support for transgenders
Last week, the protesters were visited by members of the transgender community, led by Ranjita Sinha, director of the Transgender/Hijra Association. “He has made history. This is an important moment in the history of nonviolent protests, that they continued for more than 600 days. Men, women, young mothers – everyone is able to leave behind their families and young children and just sit to protest, it is such a struggle. I can relate to the struggle because every day is a struggle for transgender people,” said Ms. Sinha.
Support comes not only from groups, but often, even from strangers of rank, such as people driving or walking past the venue. Sometimes someone arranges for tea and someone brings biscuits. Such gestures are highly appreciated as the venue is in the lush green ground of Kolkata, where refreshments are not easy. “During Durga Puja, someone gave us food. Also, during Durga Puja, much to my surprise, a man actually made me sit on his bike and showed me around some of the pandals! Such support is our source of strength,” said Bikram Ghosh, who is hoping to be appointed as an English teacher in a government school.