Job aspirants in Dharwad protest demanding recruitment drive to fill vacant govt posts

Dharwad

Several job aspirants on Monday staged a protest here demanding that the Karnataka government launch a recruitment drive to fill vacancies across various departments. Police said 35 people, including women, were detained. The demonstration was organised by Janasamanyara Vedike and Udyogakankshigala Horata Samiti. Aspirants had planned to march from Srinagar Circle to the District Commissioner's office, but police intervened and detained many of the participants.

Students from different parts of the city assembled in the Srinagar area and raised anti-government slogans.  They urged the government to announce a clear policy during the upcoming winter session of the state legislature to fill all vacant posts and introduce more student-friendly measures. Police had earlier denied permission for the protest, citing traffic congestion and potential law-and-order issues. Despite this, the organisers went ahead with the demonstration.

Speaking to reporters later, Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said the job aspirants had sought permission, but it was withheld due to security concerns. "They claimed around 30,000 students would join the protest. Some PG and library science students had spoken about holding an indefinite dharna and blocking junctions. We asked for clarification on who would lead the protest and how many would actually participate," he said. He noted that around 80,000 students live in the area and that it is surrounded by schools, colleges and hospitals.
 
"If miscreants misuse such a situation in a student-populated area, law and order could easily deteriorate. For these reasons, permission was not granted," he said. According to the commissioner, the organisers failed to provide complete information to the authorities. On Monday morning, nearly 200 local students and aspirants gathered to demonstrate. "I told the organisers that the protest was unlawful. Even one wrong act could have led to serious problems. We explained that the government had already taken certain steps, but they insisted on marching to the DC office," he said.

He added that the route passes several coaching centres and that police detained the protesters as a precaution. "We have detained 35 people, including women," he said. Shashikumar recalled that during an earlier protest by the same group, some individuals had shouted "inappropriate" slogans and blocked Jubilee Circle, inconveniencing the public. "There is no question of suppressing protests. Everyone has the right to protest, but it must be done as per the rules," he said.