Baby Chakraborty | KalimNews | May 18, 2025 | Kolkata : The Bidhannagar Police have filed cases against several individuals involved in the May 16 protest outside Bikash Bhavan, accusing them of multiple serious offenses including rioting, assaulting public servants, destruction of government property, and criminal conspiracy. The protesters, primarily jobless teachers and education staff affected by the cancellation of the 2016 SSC panel, have been summoned to appear at the Bidhannagar North Police Station at 11 a.m. on May 21. The summons warns that failure to appear could result in arrest.

The protest on Thursday turned chaotic as thousands gathered outside the Education Department headquarters in Salt Lake, demanding reinstatement and other remedial action. Demonstrators allegedly broke through the main gate, staged a sit-in, and reportedly confined government staff inside the premises. Law enforcement officials claimed they exercised “minimum force” to disperse the crowd and assist trapped employees, during which a scuffle reportedly broke out.

According to official sources, the police have invoked several sections of the Indian Penal Code including criminal trespass, wrongful restraint and confinement, voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty, disobedience to official orders, assault or use of criminal force against public servants, criminal intimidation, and obstructing public functions. Sections under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act have also been applied. The summons issued to the protesters stated: “During the course of the investigation, it is revealed that you damaged government property and obstructed the public servant from his lawful duty and threatened the public servant from doing their duty, and there are also reasonable grounds to question you to ascertain facts and circumstances from you in relation to the present investigation.”

In a related move, Kolkata Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Verma has directed all police stations under his jurisdiction to stay alert and prepared for similar situations in other parts of the city. He reportedly urged officials to exercise restraint and patience while dealing with protestors, aiming to avoid escalation while maintaining public order.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken note of the situation and requested a report from Bidhannagar City Police. The commission’s intervention came after visuals emerged of minor students attending open-air classes on the road outside Bikash Bhavan, conducted by the protesting teachers under the banner of ‘Udayan Pandit er Pathshala’.

Protests continued for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday, with displaced teachers staging demonstrations outside the Education Department building. The protestors have remained defiant in the face of legal action. “They are doing all these to intimidate us. But we are not scared and will not stop our protest. They [the state government] did all the corruption, and now the police are issuing summons to us,” said one of the protesting teachers.

With legal proceedings underway and administrative preparations in motion, the situation remains tense as May 21 approaches, when the summoned individuals are expected to appear before the police for questioning.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 17, 2025, Kolkata :  In celebration of the 164th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore and the birth anniversary of legendary music maestro Gyan Prakash Ghosh, a remarkable cultural evening was hosted at the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, Kolkata.

Organized jointly by Anandi Communication Center and Rupsa literary magazine, the evening’s centerpiece was a musical narrative titled “Anya Rabindranath” (The Other Rabindranath), conceptualized, scripted, and directed by acclaimed music artist Indrani Bhattacharya. The performance featured a curated selection of 23 songs by Tagore, many of which are lesser-known treasures that illuminated the poet’s multifaceted creative expressions.

The soulful renditions were presented by a talented ensemble of vocalists, including Indrani Bhattacharya, Abhik Mallik, Sridhara Gupta, Shelly Biswas Bhattacharya, Dr. Surajit Roy, and Aditi Gupta. They were accompanied by a skilled team of instrumentalists—Subrata Mukhopadhyay, Premangshu Sen, Amitranjan Roy, and Gautam Ray—whose nuanced performances enriched the musical experience. The narrative elements were eloquently delivered by Antara Das and Manasi Raychaudhuri.

The latter half of the event featured heartfelt performances by Snigdhadeb Sengupta, dedicated to the memory of his revered guru, Gyan Prakash Ghosh. His renditions resonated with emotional depth and musical integrity.

A highlight of the evening was the felicitation of veteran Rabindra Sangeet artist and scholar Sagarmoy Bhattacharya. The honour was presented by Justice Ashok Ganguly, retired judge of the Supreme Court of India. The program was further graced by the presence of Swami Suparnananda Maharaj, Secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission, Golpark.

The evening was anchored with warmth and elegance by Sudipta Mukhopadhyay and Anandi Bhattacharya. The audience responded with repeated rounds of applause, expressing admiration for the exceptional performances and the overall presentation. The script, in particular, received widespread praise for its depth and originality.

What truly set the program apart was its focus on the lesser-known works of Tagore, offering a refreshing and profound insight into the vastness of his musical legacy. Indrani Bhattacharya’s thoughtful direction and artistic vision were deeply appreciated by all in attendance.

Adding to the sense of pride among the audience was the shared alma mater of Indrani Bhattacharya and Aditi Gupta—both alumni of South Point School—bringing a personal note of joy and inspiration to the evening.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 16, 2025, Kolkata: The violent clash that unfolded at Vikas Bhavan  has sparked outrage across the state, with both teachers and police sustaining injuries amid escalating tensions. The incident, which unfolded throughout the day, has been condemned as a setback for civil discourse, as numerous teachers were reportedly beaten by police officers. Several protesters were injured, some severely, while a police officer was also hurt during the confrontations.

The protest began in the afternoon when the teachers and education workers broke through the gates of Vikas Bhavan, demanding the restoration of their jobs. Tensions escalated as the evening drew on, with protesters accusing the police of using excessive force, including lathi-charges, to disperse the crowd. The scene grew more chaotic as protesters lay bleeding on the ground, claiming that they were qualified teachers who had been unjustly denied employment. Their frustration boiled over, and many declared that they would not sit for exams again, making it clear that their only demand was the return of their jobs.

In the wake of the violent clash, lawyer Rajneel Mukherjee has called for suo motu action by the Calcutta High Court, appealing to the Chief Justice for an investigation into the actions of the Bidhannagar Commissionerate. Mukherjee accused the police of overreacting and unjustly assaulting the teachers, further stoking public anger against the law enforcement’s handling of the situation.

As the protests continued overnight outside Vikas Bhavan, the police were accused of inaction for several hours following an incident in Murshidabad, allowing the situation to deteriorate. The protesters, who remain camped outside the building, have vowed not to leave until the state government reinstates their jobs in a fair and transparent manner. Today, May 16, has been declared a day of protest, with demonstrations expected to persist throughout the day.

Meanwhile, tensions were further inflamed when Trinamool Congress leader Sabyasachi Dutta visited Vikas Bhavan this morning. Witnesses report that Dutta engaged in inappropriate behavior with both the protesting teachers and the media, further exacerbating the already volatile situation. Citizens across Kolkata have expressed their displeasure at the police’s actions, with widespread condemnation of the authorities’ response to the teachers’ peaceful demonstration.

The unrest shows no sign of abating, with protesters continuing to demand justice and the restoration of their jobs. The state government faces mounting pressure to address the grievances of the educators and resolve the standoff.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 16, 2025, Kolkata: The protest by jobless teachers and education workers continued in Kolkata today, as they gathered in front of Vikas Bhavan despite yesterday’s tensions. On Thursday, protesters had clashed with police forces after breaking through the gates of the government building. In response, a large barricade was erected outside Vikas Bhavan. However, early this morning, the protesters forcibly removed the barricade, demonstrating their defiance in front of the police.

As the situation escalated, the protesters, who had gathered in large numbers, sat in defiance outside the building, shouting slogans demanding the reinstatement of their jobs. Their chants grew louder as they confronted the law enforcement officers stationed nearby. A heavy police presence has been maintained to control the situation, but the tension remained palpable.

The protests, which started peacefully, turned chaotic as the night wore on. Eyewitnesses reported clashes between the demonstrators and the police, with allegations of police using lathi charges on the protesters. In retaliation, some protesters reportedly threw bricks at the police, heightening the already volatile situation. Amidst the unrest, government employees at Vikas Bhavan were seen attempting to scale the walls in a bid to flee the scene, further angering the protesters. The police quickly intervened to stop them, which resulted in a brief but intense confrontation.

In the aftermath of the incidents, the police filed a suo motu case against the protesters, marking a new phase in the ongoing conflict. This morning, as tensions resurfaced, the protesters once again gathered in front of Vikas Bhavan, vowing to continue their sit-in protest until their demands for employment were met.

The protests are expected to persist throughout the day, with no clear resolution in sight. Local authorities have urged both sides to exercise restraint, but the situation remains tense as negotiations between the protesters and the government have yet to make any significant progress.