West Bengal government to bar new teachers from contesting elections

The West Bengal government has announced a new policy prohibiting teachers recruited to state-run schools from participating in active politics or contesting elections while in service. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that the decision, approved during a state cabinet meeting, will apply to all future recruits and cover elections for panchayats, municipalities, the State Assembly, and the Lok Sabha.

The policy aims to depoliticize the education sector and restore the dignity of the teaching profession. Adhikari noted that the restriction will be integrated into the recruitment norms of the West Bengal School Service Commission. However, the measure will not apply to teachers who are already serving as elected public representatives.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has vowed to legally challenge the move. Former Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya described the proposal as unconstitutional and stated his intention to take the matter to the Calcutta High Court once it is formally implemented.