West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a fierce counterattack against the Supreme Court’s order cancelling the appointments of over 25,000 teachers and school staff recruited by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016. Addressing a massive gathering of affected educators at Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium, the Chief Minister vowed to protect the “deserving” and challenged what she called the targeted dismantling of Bengal’s education system.
Mamata Slams ‘Unjust Targeting’ of Bengal
In a fiery speech that has ignited political debate across the nation, Mamata Banerjee questioned the judiciary’s consistency, comparing the WBSSC verdict to the handling of irregularities in other high-profile exams like NEET and Vyapam. “The Supreme Court must clarify who is deserving and who is not. Give us the list. No one has the right to break the education system,” said Mamata Banerjee.
“Let not the voice of justice weep in silence…”
Deserving teachers whose appointments have been cancelled look to the highest court of the land with hope for justice.
In the interest of humanity, Smt. @MamataOfficial has earnestly appealed for a fair review of the matter. pic.twitter.com/gSCAXebJ4q
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 7, 2025
“In NEET, many allegations surfaced. The Supreme Court did not cancel the examination. Why is Bengal being targeted? We want to know. You are scared of Bengal’s talent.”
Her remarks have sparked widespread discussions online, with many tagging the issue as a battle between state autonomy and central judicial oversight.
Supreme Court Slams WBSSC Over “Irreparable Corruption”
Last week, the Supreme Court cancelled the appointments after uncovering massive irregularities in the recruitment process. The apex court bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, cited extensive manipulation and rank tampering as reasons for declaring the process “tainted beyond resolution”.
Smt. @MamataOfficial addressed a gathering of aggrieved teachers at Netaji Indoor Stadium, firmly condemning the unjust cancellation of appointments of deserving candidates.
She reaffirmed that the State Government has always upheld the rule of law and has never hesitated to… pic.twitter.com/mgueV8R8wB
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 7, 2025
“Manipulations and frauds on a large scale, coupled with the attempted cover-up, have dented the selection process beyond repair,” the court stated.
ALSO READ: ‘Cannot accept this judgment’: Mamata Banerjee on SC ousting 25,000 Bengal teachers
The judgment revealed that OMR sheets were destroyed without justification, out-of-panel candidates were appointed, and those with lower ranks were preferred over meritorious applicants. Despite acknowledging that not all candidates were involved in malpractice, the court ruled their services must still be terminated, although they would not be asked to refund previously earned salaries.
‘We Will Find a Way’: Mamata’s Defiant Stand
Mamata Banerjee, however, struck a defiant tone, insisting she would not abandon the affected educators.
“If the Supreme Court provides us clarity, we will be grateful. If not, we will find a way and stand by you. Suffer for two months, you don’t have to suffer for 20 years. And I will compensate for those two months too. You won’t have to beg,” she declared.
She also urged the teachers to continue working, assuring them that no formal termination letters had been issued yet.
Smt. @MamataOfficial addressed a gathering of aggrieved teachers at Netaji Indoor Stadium, firmly condemning the unjust cancellation of appointments of deserving candidates.
She reaffirmed that the State Government has always upheld the rule of law and has never hesitated to… pic.twitter.com/mgueV8R8wB
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 7, 2025
“We have to accept the court’s order, seek clarification and file a review petition too. You have not received a termination letter, so you keep working.”
Political Fallout: Mamata Accuses BJP, CPM of Conspiracy
The Chief Minister didn’t hold back in targeting the BJP and CPM, accusing them of orchestrating a political plot to destabilize Bengal’s education infrastructure.
“You have people everywhere. But don’t snatch jobs from teachers to target me. Remember, an injured tiger is more dangerous. It’s an attack on our government,” she warned.
One Chief Justice’s ruling has been summarily dismissed by another, without a due process of distinguishing the eligible from the ineligible.
Smt. @MamataOfficial stands as a bulwark against this injustice. She will not allow the voices of the deserving to be silenced, nor their… pic.twitter.com/3x2mwV4VSn
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 7, 2025
Her government has signaled its intention to file a review petition, with affected teachers also vowing to challenge the verdict legally. Many at the Kolkata rally said they would not reappear for another exam, urging the WBSSC and state government to fight back.
What’s Next for Bengal’s Education System?
The Supreme Court has directed the state government to complete a fresh recruitment process within three months. However, with mounting political and public pressure, the road ahead may be turbulent. The education sector in Bengal now finds itself at the heart of a legal, political, and emotional storm — and Mamata Banerjee has made it clear she’s not stepping away.
