The All Karnataka State Student Association (AKSSA) took to Freedom Park in Bengaluru this week with a pressing demand for the state government. Their plea? Fill the staggering 2.76 lakh vacant posts across 20 key departments, including over 70,000 teaching positions. The protest highlighted how these vacancies are slowing down administration and disrupting critical services like education, healthcare, and rural development.
Protesters argued that the delays in recruitment are more than just bureaucratic red tape. They’re affecting real lives. Schools lack teachers, hospitals run short on staff, and development projects stall. The students’ message was clear: the government needs to act fast.
One of their key demands was the introduction of an annual recruitment calendar, similar to the UPSC model. This would bring transparency and predictability to the hiring process, ensuring notifications, exams, and appointments happen on time. No more sudden suspensions or unexplained delays.
Another major point of contention was the age limit. AKSSA wants it raised to 35 years for government jobs while keeping existing relaxations for women, SC, ST, and OBC candidates. They also pushed for waiving application fees for women and SC/ST candidates, suggesting that only OBC and General category applicants should pay.
The teaching sector remains a top priority. From primary schools to undergraduate colleges, the shortage of educators is dire. Students stressed that immediate recruitment is essential to prevent further damage to the education system.
The protest was a loud call for systemic change. With thousands of jobs lying vacant and public services suffering, the pressure is on the Karnataka government to respond. Will this student-led movement finally push officials into action? Only time will tell, but the message from Freedom Park was unmistakable: fill the posts, fix the system.