Can't accept SC verdict, says Mamata Banerjee as she slams BJP for 'conspiracy'
"If the BJP wants to send me to jail for supporting them, they can," said the chief minister while extending full support to the affected teachers
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday (April 3) said she has the highest regard for the judiciary but could not accept the Supreme Court’s verdict invalidating the appointments of 25,753 teachers and other staff in state-run schools.
Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat, Banerjee, however, emphasised that her government would abide by the SC’s decision while exploring all legal options.
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“While I have the highest respect for the judiciary and judges, I cannot accept the judgement from a humanitarian point of view,” she said. “As a citizen of this country, I have every right to an opinion. I respect the judge and the judiciary, but I can't agree with the judgment,” she added.
‘Will do whatever legally possible’
A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar upheld a Calcutta High Court verdict dated April 22, 2024, annulling the appointments and ordering the Trinamool Congress government in the state to initiate a fresh selection process, which has to be concluded within three months.
Banerjee said, “We have to accept the judgment and do whatever is legally possible. The SSC (School Service Commission) is an autonomous body. We, as the state government, will not interfere in their work. If the court has set a deadline of three months for a fresh selection process, we will abide by the court’s verdict.”
‘BJP targeting Bengal’s education system’
Referring to senior TMC leader Partha Chatterjee's arrest in the school jobs scam, she asked, “Our former education minister is in jail, but how many BJP leaders were arrested in the Vyapam case.” The CM alleged that the BJP was deliberately targeting the state's education system. “Does the BJP want to ensure the collapse of West Bengal's education system,” she questioned.
Banerjee said she would stand with those who lost their jobs. “I know candidates are depressed, and I will meet them. I am with them on humanitarian grounds. I will tell them not to lose hope,” she said.
“Our lawyers will review this matter. If the BJP wants to send me to jail for supporting them, they can. Catch me if you can,” she said.
‘Corrupt judges only get transferred’
One key aspect of the judgment is that those appointed through fair means have also suffered like the tainted candidates. Raking this up, the chief minister asked why so many people must be punished for a few. “It's not just 25,000 candidates, their families are impacted too,” she said.
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Referring to the huge cash recovery from the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma, she said, “If you recover money from a sitting judge's home, he is only transferred. Then why were these candidates not transferred? The first judge to give this order is now a BJP MP. BJP and CPM have conspired to lead to this verdict,” she said.
Alleging a conspiracy to target Bengal, she asked if it was a crime to be born in the state. She questioned who would teach in classrooms if so many teachers lost their jobs.
(With agency inputs)
