Job Aspirants Stage Massive Protest In Dharwad

Dharwad: Thousands of job aspirants staged a protest in Dharwad on Tuesday, demanding that the government take immediate steps to fill vacant positions, bringing vehicular movement to a near standstill in various parts of the city.

Tensions turned tense as protesters expressed anger not only at the ruling party but also at the opposition and did not allow BJP leaders, including opposition leader in Assembly R Ashoka and opposition leader in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, to address them.

Protesters, including job applicants and candidates preparing for competitive exams at coaching centres, gathered in large numbers and chanted slogans calling for early recruitment and notification of vacancies.

They initially gathered at Srinagar Circle and later marched to Jubilee Circle.

All Karnataka State Students Association (AKSSA) leader Kanthakumar demanded direct intervention of the Chief Minister to resolve the issue.

Senior BJP leaders, including R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who came to address the protesters, were not allowed to speak. Some even blocked their speeches by chanting ‘go back’ slogans.

Arvind Bellad, deputy leader of the opposition in the assembly, assured the protesters that the government would fulfill their demand for immediate recruitment.

On reaching the DC protest spot, Kanthakumar asked the officials to join the protesters instead of just taking a memorandum.

Deputy Commissioner R Snehal, who reached the spot along with senior officials, appealed to the protesters to maintain peace and assured them that their grievances had been conveyed to the government.

Despite the protests with slogans, he said, “I understand your pain as I also participated in the competitive exams. Your demands have been conveyed to the government. Please give it some time and calm down.”

The protest ended with the Deputy Commissioner receiving a note from the organisers. The police then took Kanthakumar into preventive custody.