2 days ago
‘Three years later, where is my interview letter?': Karunamoyee becomes fortress after TET 2022 candidates hit the streets
Thousands of Primary Teacher Eligibility Test 2022 (TET 2022) qualified candidates took to the streets in Kolkata on Tuesday, demanding their interview letters, which they have allegedly not received even three years later.
Before they could begin their march to the Acharya Prafulla Chandra Bhawan, police started detaining them — some were allegedly dragged away. A heavy police force, along with Rapid Action Force (RAF), had been deployed and several buses were kept ready.
Mirza Ali, a TET 2022 candidate from Birbhum, told The Indian Express, 'Are we terrorists? We have qualified the exams. For three years, we have been waiting for an interview letter.'
Despite the rain, candidates tried to dodge the police and head towards SSC Bhawan. The Primary TET exam was held on December 11, 2022, with lakhs of people appearing. The results had been published. According to the protestors, the Primary Education Board has allegedly not issued interview notices, and their main demand is the notices being immediately issued.
Sanchita Guin, one of the job seekers, said, 'Our backs are against the wall now. We have no other option but to hit the streets. What is our fault? We have given exams, qualified, still not getting jobs. Why this delay? How many more years do we have to wait?'
Candidates also raised slogans against the police: 'Police, you are a disgrace.' Another protester said, 'Have we got guns? Why are they treating us like this? Due to corruption, after five years, TET 2022 examinations were held.'
Meanwhile, a senior police officer said, 'The situation is under control. We will do everything to maintain law and order and to protect public property.'
Karunamoyee and surrounding areas turned into a fortress with simultaneous rallies. Along with the TET job seekers, members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) also protested, demanding the publication of West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) results and commencement of college admissions.
Heavy police deployment was seen in front of Bikash Bhawan. As soon as the SFI rally reached there, police began detaining students. One protester said, 'What about our future? We have been waiting for admissions to begin for months but there is nothing. This is going to affect our career. No one is telling us the reason for the delay.'
Another said: 'Joint results were to be declared but that has also been deferred. Why? Who is going to take responsibility for this delay? We are being detained, not allowed to speak up. Is this democracy?'
The WBJEE results were scheduled for August 7, but hours before the declaration, the Calcutta High Court stayed it over the OBC reservation issue.
