Anarchy at schools!

Mamata Banerjee's govt seems to be plagued with populism.The way H.S Council tackled the situation of gheraoing of teachers by the students at Rishi Arabindo Balika Vidyalay at Santoshpore in connection with the results of H.S.Test examination bears out the statement once again.To lift the gheroao that spanned over 22 hrs the council members rushed to the spot the day after reportedly on request from the Headmistress of the school and virtually took sides with the failed students.As a result gherao ended.What they actually did was that they asked the Headmistress to hold examination of the failed candidates again on the plea of some apparent lapses in the tabulation sheet.They also took away the examined answer scripts of the failed students along with the tabulation sheet in sealed cover to council office.This action of the council met with scathing criticism from the academic circles and in other schools too failed candidates started agitation demanding promotion as feared.Finding the situation going out of hands the education minister Bratya Basu intervened and declared it was the prerogative of the schools concerned to decide whom they'd send up for final examination.A few schools, of course,stooped to the pressure of the failed candidates and their guardians but mercifully majority of schools as yet have stood ground and have not succumb to such pressure.However,demand for promotion of unsuccessful candidates are still spreading in different schools and pressure is mounting on the school authorities.What's more,the Council once again requested Rishi Arabindo Balika Vidyalaya to reconsider its decision but school did not change the tally after reconsideration of the result.What's most interesting is our Education minister later eulogized council representatives for their success in lifting 22-hrs gherao at the school.Any way, now School education is paying for the populist move of H.S.Council which has ultimately received the seal of approval from the Education minister Bratya Basu.

Off-the-cuff remark about judiciary!

It sounds ludicrous when Mamata Banerjee warns her cabinet colleague Becharam Manna against shooting his tongue so freely while she herself makes unbridled comments too often.In fact, Becharam tried to curry favour with his mentor Mamata Banerjee while making the most outrageous remark about the High court judge who had given verdict against the state govt in Singur Land Bill Case. Becharam claimed the judge gave the verdict in collusion with Tatas and CPI(M) to which he'd allegiance,Earlier Mamata Banerjee alleged judgement could be purchased.Evidently taking cue from his leader's statement Bacharam has gone to the logical conclusion about the Singur judgement.So he's only echoed and elaborated with specific example what his mentor spoke about judiciary.However, he couldn't realise, nor had he the ability to assess either the legal implication of what he said.Perhaps what he'd in the back of his mind was his performance would be appreciated by Didi.As ill luck would have it, High court has reacted sharply to Becharam's remark and initiated legal proceedings against him to protect the honour and integrity of judiciary.What's more,Court has also revived the hearing on Mamata's observation 'judgement is purchasable' that was kept pending.

Darker Days Ahead!

Markandey Katju,Chairman Press Council of India criticized Mamata Banerjee for her authoritarian and vindictive attitude in the strongest possible language.Perhaps he's spoken the mind of the most of the people of the state.As now an atmosphere of fear prevails in the state common people dare not express their opinion freely.So Katju would receive whole hearted support from all sections of people for his outspokenness.Earlier the Chair person of the state Human Rights Commission echoed the same sentiment with no less vehemence.The apex court of the country too has recently served notice to the state based on PIL filed by a South Indian girl to explain its position regarding the arrest of Jadavpore University Professor Amkesh Mahapatra in cartoon episode.So Mamata Banerjee is drawing flak from different corners for her activities.She aught to be under immense pressure. But what's a matter of concern is Mamata Banerjee rubbished the allegations and went to the extent of comparing the critics of her govt to barking dogs.She strongly believes a section of people and press are hatching conspiracy to belittle her govt.So she does not care to pay heed to even good advice of her well-wishers.She seems determined not to change her style of functioning and make amends for her mistakes. What's now most worrying for Mamata Banerjee is internecine squabbles have pervaded her party from the top to bottom and intraparty clashes are taking place almost regularly.Particularly, the increasing dissension in higher rank is doing immense harm to his party and the govt.With his faction ridden party she can't afford proper governance and as a result the state is suffering abjectly.What's more she fails to contain this factionalism either for apparently wrong handling of the problem.So darker days are waiting ahead for us.