THE ongoing agitation by teaching aspirants at Neelam Park took a critical turn on Tuesday when police called an ambulance and forcefully shifted protesting candidate Narendra Rajput to a hospital due to his rapidly deteriorating health condition. Rajput, who had entered the fifth day of a strict waterless fast (Nirjal Strike), strongly resisted the medical evacuation, insisting that he would not break his fast or leave until School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh or top government authorities arrive at the venue to address their demands. The forcible removal of the fasting candidate triggered disappointment among the educators present at the site, who echoed similar sentiments. The sit-in protest, which began on August 21 following a march from the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) near Chetak Bridge, has seen 500 to 600 Class2 (Middle School) and Class-3 (Primary School) candidates converge at Neelam Park. Demonstrators stated that their patience has completely run out after months of unfulfilled government promises regarding an increase in post allocations for the 2025 recruitment drive. Entering what they reported as their 13th major sit-in protest over the past year, the aspirants are demanding a significant expansion in vacancy numbers, specifically 25,000 vacant posts for Class-3 positions and 3,000 posts per subject for Class-2 roles.

 

Jitu Patwari extends support, urges Government to act promptly: Meanwhile, political support for the protesting aspirants continued to grow as Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee President Jitu Patwari spoke directly with the candidate delegation at Neelam Park via a video call on Tuesday. Expressing solidarity with the educators who have been demonstrating for vacant post increases, Patwari noted that after years of preparation and hard work, qualified youth are being forced onto the streets simply to demand their rightful employment. Calling upon Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav to intervene immediately, Patwari urged the state administration to engage in direct dialogue with the candidates rather than ignoring their agitation. “The government must treat the legitimate demands of the teacher recruitment aspirants with sensitivity and take a positive, concrete decision to expand seat allocations,” Patwari stated, assuring that the Congress party will continue to raise the voice of the educators across all public platforms until their grievances are officially resolved.