SSC Chairman freed after 48-hour gherao, protesters continue blockade outside Salt Lake office

SSC Chairman Siddhartha Majumdar was released from a two-day gherao at the School Service Commission (SSC) office in Acharya Sadan, Salt Lake, on Wednesday morning, April 23. The Chairman, who had been confined by job-seeking "eligible" teachers since Monday afternoon, was allowed to leave the building around 8:30 AM after the protesters agreed to his release. Despite this, the protesters continue to blockade the road in front of the office, demanding the publication of recruitment lists.

The gherao began on Monday, April 21, after the administration had promised to release the list of eligible and ineligible candidates by the evening. However, the list was not made public, prompting the protesters to initiate an indefinite blockade at the SSC office. As a result, Majumdar and other SSC staff members were unable to leave the building, with no food or water initially allowed inside.

For the next two days, Majumdar survived on only cream cracker biscuits, mineral water, and sugar-salt water. On Tuesday, the Deputy Commissioner of Bidhannagar Police, Anish Sarkar, intervened, urging the protesters to allow food, water, and medicines to be delivered to the confined Chairman, citing his age and human rights concerns. The protesters, who were fasting themselves, did not object to this request and allowed supplies to enter the building.

On Wednesday, a contempt of court hearing regarding an SSC-related case was scheduled in the Calcutta High Court. The Chairman was required to be present for the hearing, and his release from the gherao was made possible for him to attend the court. Despite the Chairman's release, the protesters remained in place, continuing their blockade of the road outside the SSC office.

Following the meeting between Majumdar and the protesters on Tuesday, it was clear that their demands had not been met, as they decided to continue their protest. The protesters are awaiting further developments in the High Court hearing and have made it clear that they will continue their action until their concerns regarding the recruitment process are addressed.