Indian Trade Unions Protest in Kolkata Over Teachers Recruitment Scam: In Photos

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Indian Trade Unions Protest

A coalition of Indian trade unions marched through Kolkata on 1 November 2022 from the Esplanade Tram Depot through to Calcutta University, expressing their solidarity with 500-odd former students who passed the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) in 2014 but were then denied positions.

The students had been staging a peaceful sit-in outside the Education Board offices last month until police raided the protest at midnight on 20 October and forcibly removed them, as some of the qualified, yet out of work teachers commenced a hunger strike.

One of the most outspoken members of the protest movement Sangita Sharma told Sydney Criminal Lawyers that the unions had gathered to express support for TET graduates who were being denied jobs because of corrupt practices that have led to other less qualified people receiving the positions.

Referred to as the West Bengal Teachers Recruitment Scam, this issue is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation by order of the Calcutta High Court.

The claim is that candidates for around 600 jobs in 2016 were chosen in exchange for money, whilst those on the merit list were overlooked.

Union leader addresses the press
Union leader addresses the press
Hundreds gathered on Chowringhee Road awaiting the march to begin
Hundreds gathered on Chowringhee Road awaiting the march to begin
The All India United Trade Union Centre, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions and the All India Central Council of Trade Unions were represented at the march
The All India United Trade Union Centre, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions and the All India Central Council of Trade Unions were represented at the march
A man inside an autorickshaw adorned with loudspeakers alerts passers-by to the reason for the demonstration
A man inside an autorickshaw adorned with loudspeakers alerts passers-by to the reason for the demonstration
A television reporter moves quickly as the protesters progress behind him
A television reporter moves quickly as the protesters progress behind him
BSNL telecommunications workers express solidarity
BSNL telecommunications workers express solidarity
A traffic police officer looks on as his team ensures the roads ahead are cleared for the procession
A traffic police officer looks on as his team ensures the roads ahead are cleared for the procession
Hundreds of union members march beneath red flags
Hundreds of union members march beneath red flags
TET protester Sangita Sharma marches in front holding the edge of the banner
TET protester Sangita Sharma marches in front holding the edge of the banner
The hammer and sickle flying high
The hammer and sickle flying high
The march coming to an end out the front of Calcutta University
The march coming to an end out the front of Calcutta University

Paul Gregoire

Paul Gregoire is a Sydney-based journalist and writer. He's the winner of the 2021 NSW Council for Civil Liberties Award For Excellence In Civil Liberties Journalism. Prior to Sydney Criminal Lawyers®, Paul wrote for VICE and was the news editor at Sydney’s City Hub.

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