Congress Condemns Police Lathi Charge on Students Protesting UPPSC’s Arbitrary Practices
New Delhi: The Congress party on Tuesday condemned the police lathi charge on students protesting in Prayagraj against the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC), accusing the state government of suppressing the voices of youth demanding fair recruitment processes. The protest, led by aspirants calling out the “arbitrariness” of the UPPSC, was met with force as police attempted to disperse the demonstrators.
Congress General Secretary and In-Charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, expressed his dismay over the police action, calling it unfortunate that students were subjected to violence for peacefully raising their voices against the recruitment practices. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh pointed out that such tactics were not new, claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government had a history of stifling student protests and attempts to suppress demands for jobs and transparency in recruitment processes.
“This is not the first time that the BJP government has tried to suppress the voice of youth in this manner,” Ramesh wrote. “Earlier, similar attempts have been made to silence the youth who were protesting against recruitment scams, paper leaks, and other injustices,” he added.
The Congress leader further reiterated the party’s commitment to addressing the concerns of youth, mentioning the Yuva Nyay Guarantee, an initiative proposed by the Congress to ensure employment opportunities and tackle corruption in the recruitment process. Under this scheme, the Congress had promised immediate permanent appointments for 30 lakh government jobs, the elimination of paper leaks, and the establishment of a timely job recruitment calendar.
Background of the Protests
The unrest in Prayagraj was sparked by the UPPSC’s decision to conduct the Review Officer (RO)-Assistant Review Officer (ARO) and Provincial Civil Services (PCS) preliminary exams on different dates, a move that many candidates felt would disadvantage them. On Monday, hundreds of aspirants gathered outside the UPPSC headquarters, staging a sit-in protest against the decision and demanding a uniform exam schedule.
The police, deployed in large numbers around the UPPSC office, attempted to disperse the crowd but faced resistance from the protesters. The situation escalated as police tried to prevent the students from approaching the UPPSC gates. In response, the demonstrators jostled through barricades, chanting slogans against the Commission. As the protest continued late into the evening, students held up placards with messages like “We will not divide, we will not leave, we will remain united until we get justice” and “One day, one exam.”
Opposition Condemns the Government’s Actions
Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, condemned the use of force by the police, calling the actions of the BJP government “anti-youth” and “anti-student.” Yadav expressed solidarity with the agitating students and criticized the government for what he termed as “highhandedness” in dealing with peaceful protests.
The Samajwadi Party leader further accused the state government of failing to address the real concerns of students and youth, who have been demanding fair recruitment processes and timely jobs.
UPPSC Defends Its Decision
In response to the protests and criticisms, the UPPSC clarified its position, stressing that the integrity of its exams and the convenience of candidates were its top priorities. A spokesperson for the Commission stated that in order to maintain the sanctity of the examination process and avoid any irregularities, the exams would be held exclusively at centres with no history of controversies or suspicion.
“Various irregularities have been reported in remote examination centres in the past, which has created uncertainty for deserving candidates. To prevent this and uphold the merit-based examination process, these centres have now been removed,” the spokesperson said.
To address concerns about the feasibility of managing such a large number of candidates, the UPPSC announced that the PCS Preliminary Examination would be conducted over two days, December 7 and 8, while the RO-ARO Preliminary Examination would be held in three shifts on December 22 and 23.
The Commission also explained that the examination centres would be limited to government or funded educational institutions within a 10-kilometer radius of major transport hubs like bus stands, railway stations, and treasuries, to ensure easy access for all candidates while maintaining the quality and integrity of the examination process.
The Bigger Picture
The ongoing protests and the clash with police underscore the growing frustration among youth in Uttar Pradesh over the perceived inefficiencies and lack of transparency in recruitment processes. With numerous incidents of paper leaks and allegations of corruption in government hiring, the demand for fair, timely, and transparent recruitment practices has become a key issue for students.
As the protests continue to unfold, both the opposition and the youth are calling for a systemic overhaul of recruitment procedures in the state, emphasizing the need for a government that is more responsive to the concerns of its younger citizens. The Congress, which has been vocal in its support of the protesters, continues to highlight the failings of the state government in providing jobs and addressing the youth’s grievances.
The outcome of these protests and the government’s response could have a significant impact on the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh, as youth unemployment and job security are set to remain critical issues in the upcoming elections.
