Tensions Rise In Ashok Nagar As Group 1 Aspirants Protest Exam Schedule

Tension flared once again in Ashok Nagar today as Group 1 aspirants protested against the upcoming mains examinations, which are scheduled to begin on Monday.

The police stopped the aspirants who had taken to the streets to voice their concerns. When the protestors tried to address the media, the police intervened, saying that no permission had been granted for a press conference, and subsequently arrested the protesting students.

A heated exchange ensued between the protestors and the police. The protestors raised slogans condemning the police action against their peaceful protest. They accused the government of suppressing the voices of the poor and marginalised sections, and expressed frustration over the mental stress they were enduring due to GO 29, which they claimed disqualified reserved category candidates from competing in the open category.

The aspirants also said that downloading the hall ticket did not mean they were ready to take the exam, and urged Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to listen to their grievances.

"Instead of talking to the opposition, speak with us. We are financially and mentally drained. Please listen to our pain. We are not involved in politics, and this is our last chance. Is this how a democratic government works? Please reconsider," pleaded several aspirants. They also expressed anger that despite the Chief Minister's "orders to avoid lathi charges", the police were not listening.

The students also called for a protest at Gandhi Bhavan, prompting heavy police deployment in the area.

For the uninitiated, GO 29 disallows a reserved category student from being considered in the open category. That means that a high-scoring student of the reserved category who would qualify for the same position even if he were to be ranked in the open category, will not be considered in the open category. If he were, that would have allowed one more person of the reserved category to get selected through the reserved quota. The protestors are deeming this as injustice, and have been demanding a postponement of the mains exam for the past several days over the issue.

Meanwhile, the Telangana Public Service Commission (TSPSC) has completed all preparations for conducting the Group 1 Mains examinations, scheduled from October 21 to 27.

A total of 31,382 candidates who qualified in the prelims will take the exam, competing for 563 posts. TSPSC advised candidates to download their hall tickets from the official website (https://www.tspsc.gov.in/), and 90% of the candidates have already done so.