After RGK ‘walkover’, BJP hits ground early to appropriate teachers’ protest
Times of India | 11 April 2025
123 Kolkata: For the main opposition BJP, which literally gave a ‘walkover' to the Left during the RG Kar protests a few months ago, the SSC issue has provided them with a platform to lead the opposition charges. The party on Thursday again indicated it is in no mood to cede the opposition space, with barely a year left for the Assembly polls.
In the past few days, several state leaders, led by Tamluk MP Abhijit Ganguly, along with Roopa Ganguly and Rudranil Ghosh, have visited the teachers who sat in demonstration. This was after leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikary himself met a section of protesters hours after the judgment.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP and BJP Bengal's spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said that they did not have any issue if a civil society movement develops, if it aims at throwing the present govt from power. "It is wrong that we were not present in the RG Kar movement. Our doctors were there in that movement too… a few developments forced us to step back then. Even now, we are ready to forget politics and rally with everyone opposed to the present regime. We are in solidarity with the teachers and we are conveying that message. We will always be with them," said Bhattacharya.
MP Ganguly, who, as the judge of Calcutta High Court, ordered a CBI probe on this issue in Nov 2021, said that he was still unsure about how the future would shape up for this movement. "I cannot predict the future to you at this moment in a few words. But I will keep the fight going," he said.
Shortly after the hunger strike began, Ganguly arrived in front of the SSC office. BJP leaders Rupa Ganguly, Rudranil Ghosh, and former SSC chairman Chittaranjan Mandal were also present. They met the protesters.
Regarding the state's promises, Ganguly said, "It's all a deception (of the state standing with the teachers). Then why file cases against innocent teachers? They know they have done wrong. That's why they have no intention to resolve the issue fairly. They are trying to politicise it as much as possible," he said.
"Everything is happening under the chief minister's orders... Soon, the police might come and attack here too. We have come to express our solidarity. Do not lose heart. We are with you," added Ganguly. Former MP Roopa Ganguly said, "Those who got jobs through bribery can be found if searched. Why are efforts being made to protect them?"
After speaking with the SSC chairman, the BJP gave the SSC a two-day deadline on Wednesday to release the mirror image of the OMR. They announced that if this was not done, they would undertake a larger protest on Saturday.