Teacher applicants on strike over vacancies, students oppose school mergers

Bhopal: Scores of teacher aspirants continued their indefinite sit‑in at Neelam Park on Sunday, pressing the state government to substantially increase vacancies for the 2025 recruitment of Class‑2 (secondary) and Class‑3 (primary) teachers.The protest, which began earlier in the week, continued through the weekend as demonstrators — many accompanied by young children — camped overnight after arriving from districts across Madhya Pradesh. Organisers said the official notifications for the 2025 recruitment contained only a negligible number of posts, leaving a large pool of qualified candidates without selection.“We have been treated unjustly and inhumanely,” a representative of the aspirants said, urging authorities to reopen recruitment numbers. Protesters vowed to remain at the site until the government offers a clear resolution.The Neelam Park demonstration is the latest in a series of actions that began in late 2025. According to organisers, sizeable protests and sit‑ins were held on November 17, 2025; Jan 6–7, 13, 21 and 30; February 9–10; March 24–25; April 17; May 12–15 (an indefinite protest); and on May 16, June 15 and July 21, 2026, outside the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) and the tribal department.Strike included hunger strikes, head‑shaving, symbolic burning of mark‑sheets, and submission of memorandums to the Chief Minister’s office and other senior officials. Organisers said candidates once submitted a letter written in blood to convey their desperation.Tensions escalated during the April 17 protest at Polytechnic Square when demonstrators attempting to hand over a memorandum to the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav were reportedly met with verbal abuse and police force. Protesters alleged that several were struck with batons and sustained serious injuries, including fractures.State authorities had not issued an immediate response to Sunday’s sit‑in. The aspirants say they will continue the demonstration until the government agrees to reopen vacancies or provides a definitive plan to address their demands.