Thousands of students, members of the All Karnataka State Student Association (AKSSA), and unemployed youths protested in Dharwad, demanding immediate filling of vacant posts in state departments. The BJP supported the protest, adding pressure on the Karnataka government. The protesters, carrying placards with Congress leaders’ photos, accused the government of delaying recruitment.
The demonstrators insisted on prompt notification and recruitment for vacant positions, emphasizing that delays have left numerous educated youths without jobs. Police faced difficulties controlling the crowd as protesters tried to march towards Jayanagar, leading to tense moments in parts of the city. Additional police forces were deployed to maintain order and prevent escalation.
The AKSSA had sought permission for the protest, which was initially denied. After approaching the court, they were directed to follow police guidelines for the demonstration. The Leader of Opposition, R. Ashoka, criticized the government for not addressing unemployment despite having clearance to fill thousands of vacant posts. He highlighted that over 2.5 lakh government positions remain unfilled in Karnataka, with recruitment for 65,000 posts pending for six months.
Ashoka accused the state leadership of neglecting employment opportunities for the youth and focusing on internal politics. He stated that around 20,000 unemployed youths participated in the protest, with the threat of a statewide agitation if recruitment processes are not initiated promptly. Ashoka demanded immediate recruitment notifications and hiring processes to offer job opportunities to eligible candidates statewide.
