BJP announces protest march till CM house over teaching job loss

Tension broke out at Kolkata’s Exide More on Monday as BJP’s youth wing launched its ‘Kalighat Chalo Abhiyan’ protesting the cancellation of 26,000 School Service Commission (SSC) jobs following a Supreme Court order. Before the march could begin, police stopped the rally and detained several BJP workers and leaders, triggering clashes in the area.

Senior BJP leaders, including Falguni Patra and Locket Chatterjee, were detained before the rally and taken to Lalbazar. A large police force had been deployed since morning, particularly at Exide More, with barricades in place to prevent movement. When BJP workers attempted to cross the barricades, scuffles ensued. Police began detaining workers and allegedly dragged some into prison vans.

The protest led to road blockages and disruptions for daily commuters. BJP alleged that not only were their workers manhandled, but some civilians unaffiliated with the protest were also detained. There was no official response from the police regarding these allegations. The situation remained tense through the afternoon as arrests continued in phases.

The protest comes on the same day Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with the affected jobseekers at Netaji Indoor Stadium. Opposition parties have begun statewide agitation over the cancellation of 26,000 jobs. BJP’s youth wing raised demands for Mamata Banerjee’s resignation during the protest, adding to the charged political atmosphere.