The West Bengal education system is facing renewed turmoil as protests by sacked teachers intensify, resulting in clashes with law enforcement. The recent lathi-charge on protesting teachers in Kolkata has further exacerbated the already fragile state of education in the region.

The genesis of the current crisis lies in the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Calcutta High Court's order, which deemed the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment process "tainted". This verdict led to the annulment of approximately 26,000 teaching jobs, plunging the affected teachers into uncertainty and despair. The Supreme Court had directed the state government and the WBSSC to issue fresh recruitment notifications by May 31, 2025, and complete the entire process by December 31, 2025. While the court allowed "untainted" candidates to continue serving until the end of the year, the situation remains precarious for many.

In response to the job losses, teachers initiated protests, demanding reinstatement and a fair resolution to the crisis. The "Bikash Bhawan Abhijan," a sit-in protest outside the West Bengal Education Department headquarters in Salt Lake, became the epicenter of these demonstrations. On May 15, 2025, tensions escalated as protesters clashed with police, resulting in a lathi-charge that left many teachers injured. Allegations of police brutality surfaced, with teachers claiming they were subjected to unprovoked violence. The police, however, justified their actions as "minimal force" necessary to disperse the agitators who had allegedly broken barricades and obstructed employees from leaving the building.

Despite the crackdown, the teachers have remained defiant, continuing their protests overnight. Many of the injured rejoined the demonstrations, demanding the government address their grievances. Opposition political parties have criticized the police action, with leaders visiting the protest site to express solidarity. The incident has drawn condemnation from various quarters, with accusations that the police are acting as "Trinamool cadre".

The situation remains tense, with the state education department headquarters turning into a fortress guarded by heavy police deployment. The protesting teachers have vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met, raising concerns about further disruptions to the education system. The lathi-charge and the ongoing protests underscore the deep-seated issues plaguing the West Bengal education sector. The alleged irregularities in the recruitment process, coupled with the government's response to the protests, have created a climate of distrust and uncertainty. The future of thousands of teachers and the education of countless students hang in the balance as the state grapples with this crisis.