Mon Apr 07 07:47:00 UTC 2025: ## West Bengal Chief Minister Defends Sacked Teachers After Supreme Court Ruling

**Kolkata, India** – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is vehemently defending over 25,000 teachers and school staff whose appointments were recently annulled by the Supreme Court. The court cited widespread irregularities, including rank manipulation, out-of-panel appointments, and OMR score tampering, in the 2016 recruitment process conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). The WBSSC’s destruction of OMR sheets further compounded the issue, according to the court.

Banerjee, addressing a gathering of the affected teachers, argued that the Supreme Court’s decision unfairly targets West Bengal and vowed to protect their jobs. She drew a parallel to the NEET medical entrance exam, noting that despite allegations of irregularities, the exam wasn’t entirely cancelled. She challenged the court to clarify which teachers are “deserving” and which are not, accusing the BJP and CPM of a conspiracy to destabilize the state’s education system.

The Supreme Court’s order declared the entire selection process irrevocably tainted, stating that manipulations and fraud were so extensive that partial remediation was impossible. While those teachers not implicated in wrongdoing will not have to return their salaries, their services will be terminated. The court mandated a fresh recruitment process within three months.

Banerjee assured the affected teachers that they would not face long-term unemployment, promising compensation for the two-month period before the re-recruitment process is completed. She also urged them to continue working while the state seeks clarification and files a review petition. Her statements come amid accusations that the state government attempted to cover up the irregularities. The situation remains tense, with the Chief Minister’s defiant stance setting the stage for a protracted legal battle.

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