Kolkata, Apr 3 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she respects the judiciary but disagrees with the Supreme Court’s verdict on school appointments “on humanitarian grounds” and dared the BJP that she was ready to be arrested for supporting the affected candidates.
While accusing the BJP and the CPI(M) of “hatching a conspiracy and influencing the verdict”, Banerjee emphasised that while her government would abide by the top court ruling, it would explore all possible legal options.
“I have the utmost respect for the judiciary and judges, but from a humanitarian perspective, I cannot accept this judgment. As a citizen of this country, I have every right to express my opinion. While I respect the judge and the judiciary, I do not agree with the verdict,” Banerjee said at a press conference at the state secretariat.
“How can a single person’s crime lead to punishment for all,” Banerjee said.
She also took a defiant stance against the BJP’s criticism of her support for the dismissed teachers.
“Our lawyers will review this matter. If the BJP wants to send me to jail for supporting them, they can. Catch me if you want to,” she declared.
Referring to the alleged recovery of large amount of cash recovered from a judge’s residence in New Delhi, she questioned why such cases are treated differently when money is found at a judge’s home.
“I have heard and read reports of huge cash being recovered from a judge’s residence. If you recover money from a sitting judge’s home, he is only transferred. Then why were these candidates not transferred? The first judge (ex judge of Calcutta High court Abhijit Gangopadhyay) to give this order is now a BJP MP,” she said.
She alleged that the verdict was “influenced by a conspiracy between the BJP and the CPI(M)”.
Banerjee highlighted that the ruling had impacted not just the candidates but also their families.
“It’s not just 25,000 candidates; their families are affected too. Why should so many people be punished for a few?” she questioned.
A Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, upheld a Calcutta High Court order dated April 22, 2024, which annulled the appointments and directed the state government to initiate a fresh selection process.
Accusing the BJP of deliberately targeting Bengal, Banerjee asked whether being born in the state was a crime.
She raised concerns over the impact of the verdict on the education system.
“Over 11,000 of the affected teachers taught in Class 9 and 10, and more than 5,500 in Class 11 and 12. These are crucial years, the gateway to higher education. Many of them are correcting answer sheets of board exams. Do BJP and CPI(M) want the education system to collapse?” she asked.
The chief minister reiterated that her government would follow the court’s ruling but explore all legal avenues.
“We have to accept the judgment and do whatever is legally possible,” she said.
Banerjee clarified that the School Service Commission (SSC) is an autonomous body and that the state government would not interfere in its decisions.” “The SSC is an autonomous body. We, as the state government, will not interfere in their work. We will abide by the court’s verdict,” she asserted.
She also defended her government’s stance on the issue and slammed the BJP’s criticism.” “Sukanta Majumdar said that I am responsible for this. Why are they targeting Bengal all the time? I was born in Bengal, and I know the intention of the BJP and the central government,” she said.
Referring to the arrest of senior TMC leader and former education minister Partha Chatterjee in the school jobs scam, Banerjee compared it to the Vyapam scam in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh.
“Our former education minister is in jail, but how many BJP leaders were arrested in the Vyapam case?” she questioned.
She reiterated her belief that the BJP was deliberately trying to weaken Bengal’s education system.
“Does the BJP want to ensure the collapse of West Bengal’s education system?” she asked.
The chief minister assured the affected candidates that she would stand by them.
“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.
Banerjee said she along with state education minister Bratya Basu would meet the candidates on April 7 at Netaji Indoor Stadium. PTI PNT MNB
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