Thiruvananthapuram: Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) rank holders staged an unusual symbolic protest outside the Kerala Secretariat on Saturday, eating grass to highlight their frustration over the delay in issuing appointment orders.
The protesters, who have been agitating for appointments, said they were forced to resort to the symbolic act after repeatedly seeking government action on their demand. They want appointment orders to be issued to eligible candidates from the rank list without further delay.
The agitation has been continuing for more than a month, with the rank holders maintaining a protest outside the Secretariat. According to reports, the latest phase of the agitation has also included a hunger strike, with protesters intensifying their campaign to draw the government's attention to their situation.
The rank holders argue that they have successfully completed the selection process and are waiting for appointment orders despite being included in the Kerala Public Service Commission recruitment list. They fear that continued delays could affect their chances of securing government teaching jobs.
The symbolic eating of grass was intended to convey the desperation of candidates who say they have been left waiting despite qualifying for the posts. The unusual protest quickly drew attention outside the Secretariat, where the demonstrators raised slogans demanding immediate action.
The issue comes amid wider protests by PSC rank holders in Kerala over delays in appointments. On Thursday, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha had also organised a demonstration outside the Secretariat in support of PSC rank holders, with the protest turning tense after police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators.
The LPST rank holders have urged the government to intervene and ensure that appointments are made in accordance with the existing rank list. They have also demanded clarity from the authorities on the recruitment process and the reasons behind the delay.
For many of the protesters, the issue is not simply about employment but also about the uncertainty surrounding their professional future. Having cleared the required selection process, they say they should not have to remain on the streets seeking what they believe is a legitimate appointment.
The government has yet to provide a resolution that has satisfied the protesting rank holders. The continued agitation is now putting further pressure on the administration to address their concerns.
With the protest entering another intense phase, the symbolic act outside the Secretariat has brought renewed attention to the appointment dispute. The protesters have indicated that they will continue their agitation until they receive a clear response and concrete action from the government.
