Lucknow- In a compelling display of resilience, protestors advocating for the rectification of a recruitment scam involving 6,800 teachers have completed a formidable 600 days of demonstration at the Kanshiram Eco Garden. BSP MLC has raised a fervent voice in the Legislative Council, drawing attention to the protestors' cause. Despite enduring the vagaries of weather, including scorching heat, biting cold, and torrential rain, candidates remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice.

The candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC communities who are protesting against the discrepancy in the recruitment of 69,000 vacancies completed 600 days of their demonstration 0n Monday, 5th February.

An unexpected February rain after the biting cold of January could not deter the candidates from demonstrating at the Kanshiram Green Eco Garden of Lucknow; further, this only strengthened their resolve to struggle, and on the 600th day, five female candidates started a hunger strike to draw attention to the government towards their privations. Gunjan Rathore from Rampur district said, "We only get assurance from the leaders but have not got justice, despite the fact that the government has acknowledged a discrepancy in the allotment." Priyanka Katiyaar from Kanpur said, "Our circumstances are not hidden from anyone. We have completed our education and were selected but are made to suffer despite that. The government says that it is 'beti bachao, beti padhao,' but we are beaten, and our clothes are ripped/torn when we raise our demands.

BSP Legislator raises the matter in the Council

BSP MLC Bhim Rao Ambedkar also raised this issue of the candidates in the legislative council of the state. Ambedkar said, "The Backward Commission of UP had acknowledged that there is a discrepancy in the 69,000 teachers' recruitment. The backward community ministers are sitting at key positions, but when the candidates go to meet them, they are hit by lathis. Further, the officials who are accused of discrepancies are appointed by the government to represent their case in the court. Earlier, BSP Supremo had extended support to the government by raising the issue on social media. Veer Singh from Kannauj thanked Ambedkar for raising the voice in the council. "The MLC understands our concern because he belongs to our society. He met us and introduced us to BSP Supremo Mayawati, and now he has become our voice. He has also raised our issue on a previous occasion. But we saw that in the council when he was raising our issue, the Chairman of the council asked him to sit down, saying that things are not being recorded. I would urge our Minister of Education to please provide us the appointment letter.

Timeline of the 69,000 Teachers Recruitment

• January 6, 2019: Examination held for recruitment

• January 7, 2019: A minimum cut-off was announced, which was 65% or 97/150 for General and 60% or 90/150 for SC/ST and the OBC, respectively.

• May 12, 2020: Result declared; students protest against the recruitment process as discrepancies observed in the reservation criteria.

• July 2020: Candidates approach OBC commission at State and National levels; the commission orders an inquiry.

• April 29, 2021: National Commission for Other Backward Caste finds discrepancies in the reservation criteria adopted; CM takes cognizance and orders redressal of grievances.

• January 5, 2022: The list of 6,800 candidates released; the then Basic Education Minister Satish Dwivedi accepts the discrepancies and promises to issue the joining letter shortly.

• February 2022: Code of Conduct comes into effect, hampering the process of recruitment.

• March 13, 2023: Lucknow Bench of the High Court cancels the list of 6,800 candidates and orders a review of the recruitment of 69,000 posts.

  The candidates who completed 600 days of their protest today are hoping that their grievances would be heard as the government enters the election year.

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