Protesting teachers plotting to incite violence during rally: West Bengal police

A section of protesting teachers grouped under the Chakrihara Yogya Shiksha Mancha, who lost their appointments due to the school recruitment scam, plan to provoke violence during a march to the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) headquarters on Monday (August 18, 2025), Bidhannagar City Police said on Sunday (August 17, 2025).

The appointments of about 25,000 teachers and non teaching staff were annulled after the Supreme Court, in an order on April 3, 2025, set aside the entire panel of recruitment conducted by the WBSSC in 2016.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar, Anish Sarkar released an audio conversation between two persons who were allegedly making plans to incite violence during the march on Monday (August 18, 2025).

Mr. Sarkar urged those participating in the protests to be mindful of the conspiracy. He said police have lodged a complaint. According to the police, one of the protest organisers, Sumon Biswas, had sent an email seeking police permission, which was not granted.

Teachers reject charges

Sumon Biswas, however, rejected the allegations and said that the protest march on Monday (August 18, 2025) has nothing to do with violence. Mr. Biswas said that the teachers will meet the WBSSC chairman on the question of why they need to appear for an examination.

The teachers whose appointments stand cancelled after the Supreme Court order have been demanding that their jobs be restored. The teachers said that they will not appear in the fresh recruitment process started by the WBSSC.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had assured the teachers whose appointments were cancelled that they will not lose their jobs. The teachers, however, said that the State Government is reneging on its promise.

The school recruitment scam rocked politics in West Bengal and led to the arrest of former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee in July 2022. Several processions and gatherings organised by the protesting teachers have turned violent. A few days ago, the unnatural death of protesting teacher Subal Soren sparked protests among protesting teachers.