Bratya Basu questions protest at Bikash Bhavan, says teachers confused, demands unclear, review pending

West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu has questioned the legitimacy and clarity of the ongoing protest by a section of teachers in front of Bikash Bhavan. Speaking at the Dumdum-Barrackpore organizational district Trinamool Congress office, he said that the protest lacks direction and proper communication. He stated that the secretariat had repeatedly asked the protestors why they continued to sit at the site even after a ceasefire, but no response was received. Basu said, “There is no written communication. We do not know what their demands are.”

According to Bratya Basu, approximately 2,500 teachers have approached him expressing their willingness to cooperate with the government and listen to what the administration has to say. However, he alleged that another section of protestors does not want dialogue. “Why should I get involved in a rice-versus-pebble fight? Everyone is equal to me,” he said. He added that the protestors had not sent any message, and all information about their demands had reached him through indirect sources.

Addressing concerns over alleged excessive police action during the protest, Basu said the police had already provided details of the incident in a press conference. He reiterated that the protestors reportedly do not want to sit for qualifying examinations and want direct school postings with dignity. Bratya Basu countered that the examinations are mandated by a Supreme Court order and cannot be ignored. “Are they the only ones who don’t want to take the exams?” he asked, adding that those sitting in protest are creating a state of deadlock which he described as “undesirable.”

He also said that not all individuals are in favour of the protest. “Many do not want to join the sit-in,” Basu claimed. He urged all parties to wait for the outcome of the review petition and maintained that the government is considering all aspects of the issue — from ensuring the welfare of the teachers to enabling their return to schools. “The Chief Minister is sympathetic toward them,” Basu stated, while questioning the reasons behind the continuation of the protest by a section of the teachers.