Jobless teachers fail to meet PM & CM, call for Nabanna Abhiyan today
2
Kolkata: Attempts by state school teachers, who have lost their jobs following an SC order, to meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
as well as chief minister
Mamata Banerjee
failed on Thursday. In the evening, the protesters called for a 'Nabanna Abhiyan' on Friday, demanding their jobs back.
During Modi's visit to Alipurduar, a group of teachers there sought an appointment with the PM to "discuss their concerns and find a solution to the impasse" but were denied a meeting. One of the teachers there said they submitted a memorandum to the BJP MP and MLA of the district to convey their message to Modi. Eligible Teachers' Rights Forum member Chinmoy Mandal said, "The PM raised our issue in his speech. But we were denied permission to meet him.
Our friends were warned against any protest."
In Kolkata, six woman teachers reached the CM's Kalighat residence early on Thursday but they were stopped outside by police. The six were taken to the Kalighat PS, where they were asked about the purpose of their visit. The teachers requested an appointment with the CM but failed to meet her as she was at Nabanna. Sangita Saha, one of them, said, "We did not go to Kalighat to stage a protest or demonstration.
We wanted to ask the CM how it was possible to appear for an exam after 10 years of teaching experience.
"
After four hours, the women left the Kalighat PS, submitting a petition seeking an appointment with Banerjee. Police told them they would be promptly notified about Banerjee's response. In their petition, the teachers insisted on not sitting for a recruitment exam again and urged the CM to consider "alternative ways" to save their jobs. They also asked about the relaxations in the exams, which the CM had promised, and about the process of getting their pre-school govt jobs back.
In the evening, the teachers called for a shirtless 'Nabanna Abhiyan' on Friday from Sealdah at 11 am. Chinmoy said, "We have called the rally to Nabanna to present our demands."
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