TMC councilor performs 'Uthak-Baithak' to say sorry for SSC scam | Watch video

A storm of controversy has erupted in West Bengal following the School Service Commission’s (SSC) release of a list of 1,806 tainted teachers, prompted by a Supreme Court directive, with allegations of omissions and political connections intensifying the uproar. On Monday, September 1, 2025, a qualified but jobless teacher challenged the list in the Supreme Court, claiming that several tainted candidates were suspiciously excluded, prompting the court to order a thorough investigation.

Adding fuel to the fire, a viral video of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor from Tamluk Municipality performing sit-ups while holding his ears as a public apology has captured widespread attention, with many interpreting it as an admission of guilt amid the teacher recruitment scandal. The Supreme Court’s additional order barring tainted individuals who haven’t joined schools from appearing for exams has further escalated tensions, making this a pivotal moment in West Bengal’s political landscape.The SSC’s tainted teachers’ list, released in two parts on Saturday evening and midnight, has come under fire for its lack of detail, omitting critical information such as the schools where these teachers were employed or the subjects they taught.

This opacity has sparked outrage among qualified jobless teachers, who have long protested against irregularities in the recruitment process, and opposition parties, who accuse the TMC-led government of shielding corrupt practices. The absence of specifics in the list has led to accusations of a deliberate cover-up, with former Pradesh Congress President Adhir Chowdhury calling it “the tip of the iceberg,” suggesting deeper systemic issues in the recruitment process.The viral video of the Tamluk TMC councillor’s public apology has become a lightning rod for public and political reactions. In the clip, the councillor is seen performing sit-ups, a traditional gesture of seeking forgiveness, which many believe reflects guilt over involvement in the recruitment scam. Parthasarathi Maiti, Vice-President of the State Youth TMC, added to the controversy by admitting that some party leaders have remained silent about financial misconduct and are secretly communicating with opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari.

Maiti’s public apology on behalf of the party, coupled with the councillor’s dramatic gesture, has put the TMC on the defensive as it grapples with internal and external criticism.The SSC’s list has also exposed political connections across party lines, intensifying the political slugfest. Among the tainted individuals are close relatives of TMC leaders, including daughters, daughters-in-law, and husbands, but the opposition is not spared either. The list names the brother of a BJP leader from North Dinajpur, the wife of a BJP leader from Birbhum, and a CPM leader from North 24 Parganas, highlighting the widespread nature of the recruitment irregularities. This cross-party involvement has fueled accusations of favoritism and corruption, with each side pointing fingers at the other to deflect blame.

The Supreme Court’s intervention has brought renewed hope to jobless teachers seeking justice, but it has also raised the stakes for the TMC government. The court’s directive for a detailed probe and its ban on tainted candidates appearing for exams aim to restore fairness, but the incomplete nature of the SSC’s lists has deepened distrust among stakeholders. Opposition parties, particularly the BJP, have seized on the issue to attack the TMC ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, accusing the ruling party of protecting its loyalists. The TMC, in turn, has accused the opposition of politicizing the issue to gain electoral mileage.