Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sharply criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling on the teachers’ recruitment case, calling it unjust while affirming that her government will abide by the decision and restart the selection process. She accused opposition parties, BJP and CPM, of conspiring to weaken Bengal’s education system.

Banerjee, expressing her dissatisfaction, said, “As a citizen, I have the right to voice my opinion. While we respect the judiciary, this judgment is unfair from a humanitarian standpoint.” Despite her objections, she confirmed that the School Service Commission had been directed to conduct a fresh recruitment process.

The Supreme Court upheld the Calcutta High Court’s order canceling over 25,000 appointments of teachers and non-teaching staff, citing widespread irregularities and fraud. The bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, ruled that the selection process was manipulated and lacked legitimacy.

Banerjee questioned the blanket cancellation of appointments, arguing that even deserving candidates were being punished. “This isn’t just about 25,000 people; their families are suffering too,” she remarked.

She also drew a comparison to the recent controversy surrounding Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma, from whose residence a large sum of money was seized. “If cash is found at a judge’s home, he is merely transferred. But here, thousands are losing their livelihoods,” she said, suggesting a politically motivated verdict.

Warning of the potential consequences, Banerjee claimed the ruling could disrupt Bengal’s education system, as thousands of teachers handling board exams now face job losses.