Hyderabad – Police clashed with aspirants of the Group 1 services on Friday, using force to disperse protests demanding the postponement of the Mains exam, scheduled from October 21 to 27. The protests took place in Ashok Nagar, a well-known hub for coaching institutions catering to civil services and other competitive exams. Amid growing unrest, authorities reported that 30 individuals were taken into preventive custody during the protests, which stemmed from concerns over the exam schedule and the implications of recent government orders on the recruitment process and reservation policies.
Protesters, many of whom were holding placards demanding a rescheduling of the exams, expressed frustration over the government's handling of the situation. “Reschedule Group-1 exams – save Group 1 aspirants,” read one of the many slogans displayed during the demonstrations. In response to the police's use of force, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) condemned the actions of the Congress-led government. The BRS specifically criticized the treatment of women protesters, questioning the government's commitment to women's respect and welfare under the ‘Indiramma Rajyam,’ a reference to the legacy of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
BJP leader and Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, voiced his support for the protesters, announcing plans to visit Ashok Nagar to express solidarity. “Moved by the lathi charge against Group 1 job aspirants, I will be going to Ashok Nagar to meet them as a BJP Karyakartha,” he stated in a post on X. Earlier this week, a group of candidates had sought intervention from the president of the ruling Congress in Telangana, B Mahesh Kumar Goud, and BRS working president K T Rama Rao to address their grievances regarding the exam schedule. Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari reiterated that all necessary arrangements for the upcoming exam had been made, despite the escalating tensions on the ground. As the situation unfolds, many aspirants remain hopeful for a resolution that will allow them to adequately prepare for their futures.
