Lucknow, May 19: In a dramatic display of dissent, candidates protesting for the Uttar Pradesh 69,000 teacher recruitment crawled to the residence of Education Minister Sandeep Singh in Lucknow. A video of this unusual protest has gone viral on social media.
The candidates are demanding the implementation of the recruitment process for 69,000 assistant teachers in the state. Their crawling gesture is also a symbolic protest against the Chief Justice’s recent remarks comparing them to ‘cockroaches’. They claim that the government has treated them like insects, which is why they chose to crawl in their demonstration.
On May 18, under the scorching sun, these protesters made their way to the minister’s residence, voicing their grievances.
Allegations of Irregularities in OBC Reservations
The Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Council conducted the examination for the 69,000 assistant teacher recruitment in 2019, with the notification issued in 2018. The recruitment process allocated a total of 18,598 seats for the OBC category, but only 2,637 seats were actually filled by OBC candidates.
Protesters allege that OBC candidates received only 3.86% reservation instead of the mandated 27%, while SC candidates were allotted 16.6% instead of the required 21%.
They further claim that the recruitment process violated the Basic Education Rules of 1981 and the Reservation Rules of 1994, with reserved seats being allocated to others.
This case has been pending in the Supreme Court since August 2021, and protesters argue that the government has not been actively advocating for their case, hindering any potential settlement.
NCBC and Allahabad High Court’s Findings
The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has sought a response from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding the non-compliance with reservation rules in this recruitment process. The Allahabad High Court has also ordered the cancellation of the entire recruitment list and mandated the issuance of a new list within three months, adhering to the relevant rules.
Chief Minister Promises Quick Recruitment
The last recruitment for primary teachers in Uttar Pradesh was conducted in 2019, and since then, no new teacher recruitment has taken place at the basic education level. The government had previously announced that there are 46,944 vacant positions in schools, but no new recruitment for TET-qualified candidates will be initiated.
Despite the ongoing protests, the education minister has stated that there are currently sufficient teachers and education volunteers in the schools.
History of Protests
This is not the first time candidates have protested; there have been multiple demonstrations, including protests on April 22 and February 2 this year. Last year, candidates also surrounded the residences of the education minister and the deputy chief minister in a similar display of frustration.
The candidates continue to demand justice and a resolution to their grievances regarding the recruitment process.