Bhubaneswar: Inspired by the viral “cockroach” protest trend, educated unemployed youth in Odisha have launched a symbolic protest against delays in government recruitment processes.
At a press conference chaired by student leader Bibhuti Bhushan Mohapatra, job aspirants accused the state government of delaying examinations and appointments across several departments, leaving lakhs of candidates in uncertainty.
The protesters claimed that despite recruitment notifications being issued long ago, the examination and appointment processes have not been completed. Using the metaphor of a cockroach, they warned that educated unemployed youth would “consume the government” if jobs are not provided.
They highlighted the delayed Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment, for which a notification was issued nearly two years ago. According to them, the process stalled after an alleged job-selling racket was uncovered. While the network was exposed, aspirants alleged that the investigation slowed due to the involvement of influential individuals, and the government has yet to take concrete steps to conduct fresh examinations. Nearly 1.56 lakh candidates are reportedly awaiting clarity.
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Similarly, candidates pointed to the Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS) recruitment, where nearly two lakh applicants applied around two years ago, but no progress has been made in appointments.
The aspirants also raised concerns over the SSB lecturer recruitment, for which nearly 80,000 candidates are awaiting examinations. They accused the government of citing pending High Court proceedings as a reason for the delay while allegedly failing to effectively present its case before the court.
Further allegations were made regarding delays in issuing recruitment notifications for posts such as Constable, ASO, PEO and DEO, which, they said, are discouraging meritorious students and educated youth across the state.
Warning of intensified protests if recruitment processes are not expedited immediately, the unemployed youth continued their symbolic comparison with cockroaches. “Just as cockroaches climb walls and consume everything, educated unemployed youth will climb the walls of the Assembly, Secretariat and Chief Minister’s residence,” they said.
The protesters asserted that if the government fails to provide employment opportunities to educated youth, they have the strength to bring about political change in the state.
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