SLST Protest: Dharmatala Turns into Battlefield Over 1 Lakh Vacancies and Weightage Removal Demand Kolkata Erupts with SLST Job Seekers Protest
SLST Protest: The streets of Kolkata erupted in chaos today as SLST (State Level Selection Test) job seekers staged a massive protest demanding immediate recruitment and transparency. The rally, organized by new SSC candidates, turned the Moulali and Dharmatala areas into a virtual battlefield. Frustrated by years of waiting, the candidates poured their anger onto the streets, breaking police barricades to march towards Dharmatala.
Core Demands: 1 Lakh Vacancies and Removal of Weightage
The primary demand of the protesters is the immediate filling of 1 lakh vacancies. Referring to a previous statement by the Chief Minister regarding the availability of 10 lakh jobs, the SLST candidates are demanding that at least 1 lakh seats be allocated for them.
Furthermore, there is intense dissatisfaction regarding the marks distribution in the recruitment process. The candidates have strongly objected to the 10 marks additional weightage given to Para Teachers and other categories based on experience. They argue this is grossly unfair to fresh candidates. Key points raised include:
- In a competitive exam where a fraction of a mark decides destiny, a 10-mark gap creates an insurmountable barrier for freshers.
- They are demanding the immediate cancellation of this 10-mark weightage.
- Questions have been raised about the cut-off marks, with allegations that candidates scoring as high as 70-75 are not getting called for the next stages.
Clash with Police and Breaking Barricades
The procession started from Sealdah around 12:55 PM today. The police had granted permission only up to Ramlila Maidan. However, the agitated job seekers refused to be confined to that limit. When the police tried to stop the rally at the Moulali crossing using barricades, the situation escalated quickly.
Protesters alleged that they intended to march peacefully towards Dharmatala, but the police obstructed them without cause. Desperate to be heard, the candidates broke through and removed the police barricades, marching ahead along S.N. Banerjee Road. This led to a scuffle between the police and the job seekers. Several protesters complained that despite the presence of female agitators, they were manhandled by male police officers due to a lack of female police personnel on the ground.
Standing in Front of a ‘Procession of Death’
The job seekers described their current plight as “standing in front of a procession of death.” After years of waiting, they feel deprived of the respect they deserve due to their qualifications. They expressed that they are facing social stigma and their families are suffering from deep deprivation. The candidates have issued a warning that unless a meeting is arranged with the Education Minister immediately, they are ready to go on an indefinite hunger strike.
Below is a summary of the key grievances and demands:
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Vacancy Increase | Recruitment must be carried out immediately for 1 Lakh vacant posts. |
| Removing Disparity | The additional 10 marks weightage for Para Teachers must be revoked. |
| Panel Controversy | Separate panels were not created for 2016 candidates and freshers, leading to confusion. |
| Constitutional Rights | Allegations that the recruitment process violates norms of the Indian Constitution. |
Anger Over Chief Minister’s Comments
A section of the protesters strongly criticized previous comments made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. They claimed that when the demand for a separate panel was raised, the CM reportedly asked what “benefit” (profit) it would bring her. According to the protesters, the current system allows for “double employment” (the same people getting jobs repeatedly through a single exam), which systematically deprives new and deserving candidates. Reminding the administration that the current government came to power through agitation in 2011, the candidates vowed to secure their rights through similar mass movements.
