West Bengal Bans New School Teachers From Politics, Can't Contest Polls CM Suvendu Adhikari

What Is The New Order?

West Bengal government has imposed a complete ban on newly recruited school teachers from participating in active politics. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting at Nabanna on October 28.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that teachers hired through the School Service Commission (SSC) will not be allowed to contest any elections — panchayat, municipality, Assembly or Parliament. They also cannot hold any active post in a political party.

Who Will Be Affected?

The Chief Minister made it clear that the new rule is only for future recruits. Teachers who are already in service and are active in politics will not lose their rights.

"We are not curtailing the rights of those who are already involved in politics. This restriction applies only to future recruits. We have integrated this into the School Service Commission's recruitment process," Adhikari said.

Why Did Government Take This Step?

According to the Chief Minister, the move is to restore the honour of the teaching profession. He said Bengal was the only state where teachers were allowed to do direct politics, which was a wrong policy started by the CPM.

"Today, we took a historic decision. In no other state are teachers allowed to take part in direct politics. This politicisation has damaged education standards during 34 years of Left rule and 15 years of TMC rule," he told reporters.

He cited the examples of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh where teachers are kept away from active politics.

Political Reaction

The announcement has created a political storm in Bengal. The BJP has called it a much-needed reform to depoliticise schools. The opposition TMC, however, has termed it as an attempt to silence teachers who have traditionally supported the party.

The timing is also crucial as Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections are due in late November, where teachers have a strong grassroots influence.

With this order, West Bengal has become the first state to formally add a no-politics clause to teachers' recruitment rules.