Teachers Take to the Streets in Bhopal, Perform ‘Havan’ Before CM’s Photo; Anger Grows Over Recruitment Limited to 2,901 Posts

Bhopal: Frustration among candidates of the Higher Secondary Teacher Recruitment–2023 (Varg-1) in Madhya Pradesh has reached a boiling point. On Monday, hundreds of aspirants from the waiting list staged a major protest in the state capital, accusing the government of betraying their hopes by restricting appointments to just 2,901 posts despite an advertisement for 8,420 vacancies.

The protesters gathered at Rani Kamlapati Railway Station and began their demonstration by performing a symbolic havan (ritual offering) in front of a photograph of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. They later took out a rally and marched to gherao the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, declaring that they had now launched a “do or die” agitation.

Two Years of Waiting, Only 2,901 Appointments Made

Office-bearers of the Waiting Teachers’ Association said the recruitment notification issued in 2023 had promised appointments on 8,420 posts. “Ironically, only 2,901 candidates were given appointments, while thousands of qualified aspirants who cleared the selection examination are still stuck on the waiting list,” they said.

The protesters questioned why the department was delaying an increase in posts when the government had already approved 58,000 teaching positions and the Finance Minister had also written a letter in this regard. “If posts are sanctioned, why are eligible candidates being made to wait endlessly?” they asked.

Forced to Teach in Private Schools

Leading the protest, Neeraj Dwivedi and Devesh Paliwal said that many of them had passed the recruitment examination twice but were still being denied appointments. “Instead of giving us jobs, the government has forced us to wander on the streets for the last two years. Most of us are currently teaching in private schools despite having cleared the government selection process,” they said.

The candidates warned that they had already tried every possible peaceful method — from meeting the Chief Minister and senior officials to even undertaking a dandavat yatra (prostration march). “If our demands for an increase in posts and a second round of counselling are not fulfilled now, we will intensify the agitation,” they said.

Demands of the Protesters

The protesters are demanding that the recruitment process be completed at the earliest by filling all vacant posts so that the future of thousands of young aspirants in the state can be secured. They also want the government to conduct a second round of counselling to accommodate candidates on the waiting list.

Meanwhile, police and administrative officials tried to pacify the demonstrators and urged them to maintain law and order. Talks are expected between representatives of the protesting teachers and the government in the coming days.

Growing Discontent

The agitation reflects growing anger among educated youth in Madhya Pradesh over delays and cutbacks in government recruitment. For the waiting candidates of the Varg-1 teacher recruitment, the protest in Bhopal has become a symbol of their long struggle for appointments they believe are rightfully theirs.