In a rare show of unity in Lok Sabha, members of CPI-M and Congress on Monday supported Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee when she raised the issue of the plight of students of several teachers' training institutes in West Bengal which have been declared illegal by the High Court.About 75,000 students were facing hardship after 138 institutes, which were affiliated to the state government but not to the National Council of Teachers Education (NCTE), were declared illegal by the Calcutta High Court, Banerjee said while raising the issue in the House during Zero Hour."The students are not responsible for this. Many of them are already working as primary teachers. There must have been a gap in coordination between the state government and the Centre in this regard," she said.As she spoke, prompt came support from Speaker Somnath Chatterjee who said "I endorse your views." CPI(M) leader Hannan Mollah said "I associate with her in this matter," with his party colleagues also coming out in support.Responding to Chatterjee's observation that the Centre should look into the matter, Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee said it was true that a large number of students of these institutes have been affected."During the Prime Minister's recent visit to the state, his attention was drawn. The Prime Minister asked me to take it up with the concerned Ministries. I have already taken it up with the HRD Ministry," Mukherjee said, adding that the government was trying to work out ways to protect the future of these youths.
