Jobless teachers continue with protest, face TMC seniors’ flak
Times of India | 18 May 2025
1234 Kolkata: The protest by unemployed teachers faced criticism from mayor Firhad Hakim and Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, with the former labelling it as ‘drama' and the latter referring it to the ‘cam-look' concept by protesters when media cameras were present.These statements generated new controversies amidst the ongoing debate on police violence against teachers. Meanwhile, students on Saturday organised a solidarity rally at Bikash Bhavan, supporting the teachers who were attacked on Thursday night.Approximately 20 students from various schools, including government, private and central institutions, accompanied by parents, marched to protest against the violent treatment of jobless teachers. Utsaha Chatterjee, a student's parent, said: "We are ashamed after seeing how brutally they assaulted the teachers. My daughter was disturbed since the incident happened, which she saw on television, and asked several questions to me.Today, my daughter and I attended the programme to condemn that incident."Saily Chanda, a Class V student of a private school in Salt Lake, said: "I am very upset to see the teachers sitting on the street." Another student Debapriya Das, from Class VIII, added: "Being a student, we are always taught that teachers should be honoured, but such an incident portrayed a contradictory image." Riya Mandal, from a state-aided school in north Kolkata, said: "Our teachers should not be beaten up in this manner.I'm part of this education system, and I see every day how difficult it is for our teachers under limited resources."Trinamool Congress leaders criticised the teachers' continued protest despite CM Mamata Banerjee's assurances. Hakim stated: "The CM assured them about securing their jobs. There was no need to participate in such disturbances. They could keep their faith in her words. A large section has already left the protest site, but those who like to display their faces on television screens are still demonstrating there.This is nothing but a drama." He added, "They invited their own trouble as the matter is pending in court. The order was given by Supreme Court, and the court can only revise it. Bikash Bhavan has no power to change it."TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stated: "The CM stands beside these jobless teachers and moved Supreme Court to get a revised order. Nobody criticised it so long as the movement was peaceful, but they cannot block other people from practising their day-to-day work there. Why did they block Sabyasachi Dutta? He was not part of the problem. Some of the protesters were trying to give a cam-look to be relevant in the movement.We are not disrespecting anyone, but they should understand the focus has shifted due to these activities. Mamata Banerjee has given certain relief to these teachers; this agitation should not be portrayed in a way before the court that the interim relief might stop."The protesting teachers responded by stating that these leaders were speaking inhumanely. They released footage showing protesters helping employees stranded at Bikash Bhavan on Thursday.