Recently, a disturbing incident took place in Siliguri, West Bengal, where Children of Bihar who had come for a recruitment exam were assaulted. The incident sparked outrage across the country, leading to political blame games and renewed conversations on inter-state issues and discrimination.
What Happened?
A group of students from Bihar arrived in Siliguri to attend a physical examination for government jobs as part of the SSC-GD exam. However, they were confronted by a group of men who accused them of fraudulently attempting to take jobs meant for Bengal residents. The students were harassed, forced to show their documents, and even physically assaulted. According to eyewitnesses and video evidence, the attackers claimed to be members of the police, though no identification was shown in the video.
The students were made to do sit-ups, and some were pushed to the ground and threatened. One of the men, Ankit Yadav, who was assaulted during the incident, explained that they were merely attending an exam assigned to them in Siliguri. However, the attackers insisted that only Bengal residents could appear at that center.
Who Were the Attackers?
The group claimed to be from the organization “Bangla Pokkho,” which believes in safeguarding the interests of Bengal residents. One of its leaders, Rajat Bhattacharya, stated that they approached the Bihari students on suspicion of using fake domicile certificates to apply for government jobs. Bhattacharya alleged that a larger network of individuals from other states was manipulating the quota system, thereby taking jobs meant for Bengal’s youth.
Garga Chatterjee, another leader from the organization, justified their actions, stating that for the past three years, many candidates from Bihar and UP had been using fake certificates to gain access to job quotas in Bengal. They wanted to expose this and, hence, confronted the students without initially informing the police.
Political Reactions
The assault led to a significant political uproar. Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh condemned the Mamata Banerjee-led government for the incident, stating that while the Bengal government rolls out the “red carpet” for Rohingya Muslims, students from Bihar are being beaten up for appearing in exams. He also accused the state government of not taking any action against the perpetrators and suggested that the incident reflects poorly on Bengal’s treatment of people from other states.
Another BJP leader, Arjun Singh, also criticized the incident, emphasizing that people from West Bengal frequently participate in recruitment drives in Bihar and UP, and there should be no harm in Bihari youths appearing for exams in Bengal. He stressed that every Indian has the right to seek employment anywhere in the country, and such discrimination is against the principles of the Indian Constitution.
The Domicile Issue
The incident has brought to light the complexities surrounding the domicile rule in recruitment exams. According to the Staff Selection Commission’s guidelines, candidates are eligible for recruitment in their respective states based on their domicile certificates. While it is legal for candidates to appear for exams in other states, they often must forgo reservation benefits they would receive in their home state.
This incident reflects the rising tensions over domicile issues in competitive exams. Locals in states like West Bengal are concerned that students from other states are taking away jobs meant for them by allegedly using fake documents.
Why Did This Happen with the Children of Bihar?
There are multiple factors contributing to such incidents:
Competition for Limited Jobs: With a high unemployment rate and limited government job opportunities, competition is fierce. People from different states often apply for the same positions, leading to resentment among local candidates who feel disadvantaged.
Misinformation and Prejudice: The narrative that candidates from states like Bihar and UP are “taking away” jobs can be fueled by misinformation and prejudice. Such biases can result in aggressive actions, as seen in this case.
Lack of Proper Verification: Rather than allowing authorities to handle the situation, organizations like Bangla Pokkho took matters into their own hands. This vigilante justice approach only escalated the issue, creating a hostile environment for the students.
What Needs to Change?
The incident in Siliguri is a reminder of the need for greater awareness and stricter rules regarding recruitment processes. It is crucial for states to work together and create a system that ensures transparency and fairness in job recruitment. Furthermore, political leaders should avoid using such incidents to stir up communal or regional hatred, as this can lead to a further divide among citizens.
Incidents like these tarnish the image of a unified India, where any citizen should be able to seek employment or education in any state. Strict action should be taken against those who use violence to enforce their misguided beliefs, and clear guidelines should be established to address issues related to the domicile status of candidates.
In conclusion, the assault on Bihar students in Bengal is a grim reminder of the growing regional tensions and the urgent need for a system that respects the rights of all Indian citizens.
