BENGAL - Since Last Few Weeks ....

THAKURPUKUR CRASH

There was a tragic incident in Thakurpukur, Kolkata, on Sunday morning, April 6, 2025. A speeding SUV, allegedly driven by an intoxicated television and film director named Siddhant Das (also known as Vikto), ploughed through a crowded marketplace, resulting in the death of a 63-year-old vegetable vendor, Aminur Rahman, and injuring eight others. Siddhant Das was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Four bottles of liquor were found in his vehicle. At least two women were accompanying Das in the SUV. One of them, an executive producer named Shriya Basu, was taken into custody, while the other fled the scene. Enraged locals vandalized the SUV and assaulted Das before the police intervened and arrested him. Das has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and rash driving. He was remanded to police custody until April 16. The homicide wing of Kolkata Police's detective department has taken over the investigation. Authorities are probing the roles of the other passengers in the vehicle. Aminur Rahman's family has alleged that they were offered money to settle the matter out of court. This incident has sparked public outrage and raised concerns about road safety and the influence of intoxicated driving in the city.

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MURSHIDABAD RIOTS

Significant unrest has occurred in Murshidabad, West Bengal, due to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The demonstrations escalated into violence between April 8 and April 13, resulting in three deaths, including a father and son who were attacked in their home, and injuries to at least ten others. Over 200 individuals have been arrested in connection with the disturbances. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, of 2025, introduced changes to the management of Waqf properties, leading to concerns among Muslim communities about potential infringements on religious freedoms. Protests turned violent in areas like Jangipur and Samserganj, with incidents of arson, looting, and attacks on public infrastructure, including the vandalism of a local MP's office and disruptions to train services. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the violence, stating that the Act would not be implemented in West Bengal. The Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces to restore order. The unrest led to the displacement of over 400 individuals, who sought refuge in neighboring districts.

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OVER 25,000 LOSE SCHOOL JOBS

The Calcutta High Court annulled the appointments of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in West Bengal's state-run and aided schools, citing significant irregularities in the 2016 recruitment process conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). The recruitment process initiated through the State Level Selection Test (SLST) in 2016, aimed to fill positions for teachers in classes 9 to 12, as well as Group C and D staff. However, investigations revealed widespread malpractice, including:

• Manipulation of Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets
• Unauthorized issuance of appointment letters
• Candidates with lower scores are placed higher on the merit list
• Appointments of individuals not listed in the merit list

On April 22, 2024, the Calcutta High Court declared the entire recruitment process "null and void," ordering the cancellation of all associated appointments. The court also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a thorough probe into the matter. Subsequently, on April 3, 2025, the Supreme Court of India upheld the High Court's decision, describing the recruitment process as "vitiated and tainted." The apex court emphasized that the manipulations and fraudulent activities had compromised the integrity of the entire selection process beyond repair. Over 25,000 individuals lost their jobs, leading to widespread protests and legal challenges. The West Bengal School Service Commission has been instructed to initiate a fresh recruitment process to fill the vacant positions. The incident has sparked political controversy, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the ruling government. This case underscores the critical importance of transparency and fairness in public sector recruitment processes.

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