BJP MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato wrote to the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice on Saturday requesting the court to take suo motu cognisance of the alleged police brutality during the teachers’ protest in front of Bikas Bhavan in Kolkata on Thursday.
Mahato’s letter highlighted “excessive use of force by the police, resulting in severe injuries to numerous teachers, as well as police inaction during attacks on the protesters by certain Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders” amid the protest.
Teachers who lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order over allegations of irregularities in recruitment clashed with police during their protest and broke open the main gate of Bikash Bhavan, the West Bengal Education Department headquarters in Salt Lake.
Over 1,000 sacked teachers, who were allowed to return to schools until December, were staging the sit-in against the School Education Department and the School Service Commission (SSC) for filing a review petition in the apex court, allegedly without consulting them.
“The actions of the police appear to have violated several provisions of Indian law, particularly under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and have raised serious concerns about the protection of fundamental rights and the rule of law,” the letter stated.
Mahato added, “…over 30 teachers sustained critical injuries, including head wounds, broken limbs, eye injuries, and a reported stroke. Reports indicate that the police targeted sensitive areas such as the head and private parts, and male officers manhandled female teachers, dragging them and using foul language, actions that suggest a disproportionate and unwarranted use of force.”
The MP also alleged that certain TMC leaders actively participated in attacking the protesting teachers and the police present at the scene failed to intervene or protect the teachers from these attacks, acting merely as spectators.
Terming it gross dereliction of duty on the part of the police, Mahato said it raised serious questions about the impartiality of law enforcement in West Bengal.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari visited the protesting teachers at Bikash Bhavan late on Friday evening and assured them of his unconditional support.