In a dramatic turn of events, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has come out in support of over 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff whose appointments were scrapped following a Supreme Court verdict. The top court's ruling struck down appointments made through the 2016 State Level Selection Test (SLST) citing massive irregularities and large-scale manipulation in the recruitment process.
The ruling has not only put thousands of careers at stake but has also escalated the political battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Supreme Court Verdict: Massive Irregularities and Tainted Selection
On April 22, 2024, the Calcutta High Court annulled 25,753 appointments made in government and aided schools under the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). The case was taken to the Supreme Court, where a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar upheld the High Court verdict.
The court declared that:
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The entire selection process was vitiated beyond repair, involving widespread fraud and manipulation.
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Appointments were deemed illegal, and even supernumerary posts were created to accommodate unqualified candidates.
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Appointees were directed to refund salaries, but the Supreme Court later clarified that refunds will not be required though services must be terminated.
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Only candidates who were already in government service or from autonomous bodies would receive relief, and disabled candidates would be allowed to reapply with concessions.
The SC ruling was based on a 41-page judgement that cited grave misconduct in the recruitment process, including cover-ups and manipulation of marks and merit lists.
Mamata Banerjee: “I Stand by Them”
In an emotionally charged interaction at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Mamata Banerjee met hundreds of affected staffers. She said, "I stand by those who lost jobs in schools in Bengal and will do everything to restore their dignity."
She further stated:
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“I will not allow eligible candidates to lose school jobs.”
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She criticized the judiciary subtly, pointing out inconsistency between CJI decisions.
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Called the verdict unfair to the deserving candidates and promised support in the upcoming legal and administrative steps.
This marks a rare confrontation with the judiciary from the usually restrained CM, highlighting how deeply political and personal this issue has become.
BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari’s Scathing Attack
On the other hand, Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition, led a protest on Monday demanding Mamata Banerjee’s resignation. He alleged:
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Mamata Banerjee is the “main beneficiary” of the scam.
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Her nephew allegedly accepted a bribe of Rs 700 crore in connection with the recruitment scam.
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He demanded a CBI inquiry and imprisonment of those involved, including the Chief Minister herself.
This has intensified the ongoing political feud, with the teacher recruitment scam becoming the latest flashpoint.
Inside the Recruitment Scam: What Went Wrong
The 2016 SLST exam saw over 23 lakh candidates appear for 24,640 posts. However, 25,753 appointment letters were issued—1,113 more than sanctioned, indicating deliberate overstepping of recruitment limits.
The creation of supernumerary posts, typically used for future recruitment or specialized needs, was manipulated to accommodate illegally selected candidates.
Further findings revealed:
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Merit lists were tampered with.
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Unqualified individuals were recruited through fake OMR sheets and manipulated results.
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Several TMC leaders, including former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee, are already in jail in connection with the scam.
The fraud has deeply dented public trust in the education system and put the future of thousands of candidates into uncertainty.
Court’s Position on Disabled and Previously Employed Candidates
In a small window of relief, the Supreme Court allowed disabled candidates to appear in fresh recruitment with age relaxation and benefits. Similarly, those already in other state departments or autonomous bodies may be spared from being completely disqualified.
For instance, the court referenced Soma Das, a disabled candidate, allowing her to continue on humanitarian grounds.
Political and Administrative Fallout
The issue is no longer just a legal or employment problem. It has turned into a full-blown political crisis, impacting:
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Public sentiment towards the ruling government.
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Trinamool Congress’s credibility ahead of elections.
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Judiciary's perception of executive overreach.
Meanwhile, the Bengal education sector stands disrupted, with thousands of schools now facing staffing shortages and uncertainty around upcoming academic sessions.
The Road Ahead: Fresh Examinations and Reforms?
While no official date for re-examinations has been announced, the court's instructions indicate that:
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A new recruitment process must be initiated.
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The process should be transparent and tamper-proof.
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Disabled candidates and those wrongly affected should be given priority and consideration.
This creates a massive administrative burden on the state, and with political pressure mounting, implementation will not be smooth.
What Mamata Banerjee Plans to Do Next
Mamata Banerjee has hinted at:
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Legal recourse or a review petition to challenge aspects of the verdict.
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Exploring options to retain eligible candidates via alternate schemes.
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Blaming CPI(M) and BJP for the root of the scam, deflecting attention from the current administration.
However, the state’s options remain limited under the constitutional framework, especially after the Supreme Court’s strong condemnation of the recruitment process.
Conclusion
The West Bengal teacher recruitment scam has unveiled the deep-rooted flaws in government hiring systems and raised critical questions about political accountability and administrative integrity.
While the Supreme Court’s ruling aims to cleanse a tainted process, it also leaves thousands jobless, many of whom may have been victims rather than beneficiaries of the scam.
With Mamata Banerjee’s government under fire and opposition parties intensifying protests, this issue will likely shape the political narrative of West Bengal for the foreseeable future.
The real challenge now lies in restoring trust, conducting fair recruitment, and ensuring deserving candidates get the justice they were long denied.
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