THE ongoing demonstration by Madhya Pradesh Primary Teacher (Varg-3) recruitment exam candidates at the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) in Gautam Nagar took a critical turn after five protesting candidates launched an indefinite hunger strike two days ago. The situation escalated dramatically on Thursday when one of the hunger-striking candidates, Shimla Pilgar, fainted on site due to rapidly deteriorating health and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency medical care. Around 150 qualified candidates have been actively sitting in protest on the ground, representing over 800 affected aspirants state-wide. The intensification of the agitation comes as a direct follow-up to mass protests over a sudden rulebook contradiction. Affected candidates face sudden rejections during document verification due to an abruptly imposed retrospective cut-off date of August 25, 2025, which directly conflicts with the original Rule 49 mentioned in the application form, a provision allowing degree completion prior to the verification date. Victim speaks out from hospital bed SPEAKING from the hospital, Shimla Pilgar maintained that securing joining orders is a legitimate right earned through merit. She expressed deep anguish over administrative apathy, stating that qualified candidates are being unfairly penalised due to a sudden shift in recruitment rules.

 

“Getting our joining is our right, and canceling our selection based on a newly-introduced rule is completely unjust,” Shimla stated, adding that despite their continuous sit-in demonstration and health risks, administrative authorities have consistently turned a deaf ear to their grievances. Talks with officials and minister yield no relief THE protesting candidates claimed that talks with key administrative and political leadership have so far yielded no positive outcome. According to the protesters, DPI Commissioner Abhishek Singh met with candidates but explicitly conveyed his inability to amend or relax the official recruitment rules at his level. Similarly, a delegation of protesting teachers who managed to secure a meeting with School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh reported a similar response, stating the minister expressed helplessness in modifying the current rules or granting immediate relaxation. Protesters refuse to move until demands are met UNDETERRED by the lack of official support and the health crisis among their peers, the protesting teachers have declared that they will not vacate the DPI office grounds until their primary demand is fulfilled. The candidates are firmly demanding the withdrawal of the August 25, 2025 cut-off date, reinstatement of the original Rule 49 terms, and the immediate validation of D.El.Ed qualifications completed prior to the document verification phase to secure the future of over 800 merit-listed candidates.