Protesters Gather Outside UP Education Minister's Residence Over 68500 Teacher Recruitment
The long-standing controversy surrounding the 68,500 assistant teacher recruitment in Uttar Pradesh has intensified once again. Job aspirants from various districts across the state converged on Lucknow to demand the rectification of reservation anomalies in the recruitment process. On Monday, these candidates staged a vociferous protest outside the official residence of the state's Basic Education Minister, Sandeep Singh.
The demonstration began early in the morning, with participants displaying aggressive determination regarding their long-pending grievances. The protesters adopted a unique method of dissent, wearing caps bearing the words 'Reservation Scam' and carrying placards. Lying down on the road right in front of the minister's residence and continuously blowing whistles, they raised slogans against the administration, creating a tense atmosphere in the high-security zone.
Allegations of Ignoring Commission Directives and 8 Years of Struggle
According to the agitating youth, the recruitment process initiated in 2018 suffered from a severe lack of transparency, leading to the deprivation of rights belonging to reserved category candidates. The protesters argued that both the State Backward Classes Commission and the National Backward Classes Commission acknowledged the irregularities in reservation policies during this recruitment and clearly instructed authorities to issue a revised selection list in accordance with the rules.
Ashutosh Verma, a candidate who traveled from Sitapur to participate in the protest, shared his ordeal, stating that they have been running from pillar to post for employment and justice for the past eight years. He emphasized that despite official reports confirming discrepancies affecting OBC and differently-abled candidates, no concrete action has been taken against responsible officials, nor have appointments been granted to the rightful claimants.
Police Intervention and Detention at Eco Garden
In view of the escalating situation, Lucknow police and local administration deployed additional security personnel around the minister's residence. When the candidates refused to disperse and continued their sloganeering, police intervened and began clearing the area by force. A scuffle ensued between police personnel and the demonstrators before authorities detained the protesters and transported them in buses to the designated protest site at Eco Garden.
