A wave of frustration and determination swept through the streets of Dharwad as thousands of unemployed youth and students staged a massive protest demanding immediate action on delayed public sector job recruitments in Karnataka. The demonstration, led by the Akhil Karnataka Students Association (AKSSA), centered around the city’s Jubilee Circle, where protestors raised slogans and held placards calling for transparency and urgency in the hiring process.
The protest was sparked by prolonged delays in recruitment for key government posts, including police constables, sub-inspectors, SDA, FDA, and PDO positions, many of which have remained vacant for years. Protestors voiced concerns that the lack of timely notifications has left thousands of aspirants in limbo, with some aging out of eligibility due to the stalled process.
“We’ve been preparing for years. Now we’re being punished for the government’s inaction,” said Siddhartha D., a competitive exam aspirant from Chitradurga. His sentiment was echoed by many who have been forced to leave Dharwad’s once-thriving study hubs due to the absence of fresh job notifications.
The protestors also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, urging the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) to issue fresh notifications and rectify past examination errors, particularly those affecting Kannada-medium candidates. They demanded age relaxation and the withdrawal of FIRs filed against students who protested earlier in Raichur district.
The internal reservation issue for Scheduled Castes has been cited as a major reason for the recruitment freeze. However, protestors argue that the government must proceed with hiring while resolving the matter in parallel.
Traffic disruptions were reported around Jubilee Circle as protestors staged a sit-in, drawing attention from local authorities and media. The AKSSA has vowed to continue its agitation until concrete steps are taken.
With over 50,000 vacancies reportedly pending across various departments, the pressure is mounting on the Karnataka government to act swiftly and restore faith among its youth.