Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 7: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday offered a strong show of solidarity with thousands of teaching and non-teaching staffers who recently lost their jobs following a Supreme Court verdict that scrapped over 25,000 appointments in state-run and aided schools.

Addressing a massive gathering at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, Mamata reassured the affected individuals: “I stand by those who lost their jobs in schools in Bengal. I will do everything to restore their dignity.”

The Supreme Court had upheld a Calcutta High Court order, declaring the recruitment process as “vitiated” due to procedural lapses and irregularities. However, Mamata Banerjee maintained that the state government would take proactive steps to protect the interests of deserving candidates.

“We are bound by the Supreme Court's ruling, but I will not allow eligible candidates to lose school jobs. If necessary, I am ready to go to jail for supporting them,” the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief asserted.

She also hit out at attempts to implicate her politically in the recruitment controversy. “They are trying to drag my name into something I have no inkling of,” Mamata said, adding that her government has plans to prevent eligible candidates from losing service continuity.

The event drew thousands of affected individuals, some without official entry passes, creating chaotic scenes outside the venue. Police had to work hard to control the crowds eager to hear the Chief Minister’s address, according to PTI reports.

This marks Mamata Banerjee’s first major public outreach since the top court's ruling a politically significant moment amid mounting pressure on the state government to handle the fallout.

The CM’s remarks are seen as a balancing act between complying with the judiciary’s directives and offering hope to the job losers, many of whom now face an uncertain future.