Breaking News: Rahul Gandhi Seeks President’s Help for Teachers in West Bengal
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has reached out to President Droupadi Murmu for assistance as thousands of teachers in West Bengal face the threat of losing their jobs. This comes after the Supreme Court discovered irregularities in the appointment process of these educators.
Rahul Gandhi’s Plea
In a heartfelt letter to the President, Mr. Gandhi highlighted the potential consequences of mass terminations on both teachers and students. He expressed concern that such actions could leave a significant number of students without adequate teachers and severely impact the morale of the educators.
Supreme Court’s Decision
Last week, the Supreme Court upheld a Calcutta High Court ruling that annulled the appointments of over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff in West Bengal due to irregularities in their selection process. While some teachers were found to have been appointed through unfair means, others were deemed “untainted”. However, the blanket termination order applied to all teachers, causing distress among the affected individuals.
Rahul Gandhi’s Appeal
Mr. Gandhi emphasized that teachers who were selected through legitimate methods have served for nearly a decade and their sudden dismissal would have a detrimental impact on the students. He urged President Murmu, who has a background in teaching, to consider the teachers’ plight and intervene on their behalf.
Government’s Response
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vowed to protect the teachers from losing their jobs and has called for clarification from the court regarding the deserving candidates. The state government has been accused of creating supernumerary posts during the recruitment process, leading to the current predicament faced by the teachers.
Way Forward
With over 23 lakh candidates appearing for just 24,640 vacant teaching positions in 2016, the situation in West Bengal remains complex. It is essential for the central government to step in and ensure that teachers selected through fair means are allowed to continue their valuable service to the students.
