Bengaluru: Alleging that corruption has become deeply entrenched in the functioning of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on July 30 staged a massive protest outside the KPSC headquarters in Bengaluru, demanding an impartial probe into alleged irregularities in recent recruitment examinations and stringent action against those responsible.
The demonstration, which drew hundreds of students and job aspirants, focused on alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Veterinary Officers and Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs). Protesters accused the commission of repeatedly failing to conduct fair and transparent recruitment, thereby shattering the dreams of thousands of deserving candidates who have spent years preparing for competitive examinations.
As protesters attempted to march towards the KPSC office and lay siege to the premises, police personnel deployed in large numbers stopped them using barricades. The situation turned tense as activists tried to push through the barricades, resulting in brief scuffles and jostling between police and protesters. Several ABVP workers were later taken into preventive custody to restore order.
The protest comes amid mounting controversy surrounding KPSC after multiple allegations of recruitment irregularities surfaced over the past several months. The issue has gained political significance following the suspension of former KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, while investigations into alleged recruitment malpractice continue. Several complaints have also been filed against senior officials and candidates over suspected irregularities in government appointments.
Addressing the gathering, ABVP leaders alleged that repeated scandals have severely eroded public confidence in Karnataka’s premier recruitment agency. They claimed deserving candidates are being deprived of government jobs because of corruption, manipulation and lack of accountability within the commission.
The student organisation demanded that all tainted recruitment processes be thoroughly investigated and that candidates who secured appointments through illegal means be identified and prosecuted. It also called for disciplinary and criminal action against officials found responsible for manipulating examinations or appointments.
ABVP leaders said thousands of unemployed youth spend years preparing for competitive examinations with the hope of securing government jobs through merit. When allegations of corruption repeatedly emerge from the recruitment process, they said, it destroys the credibility of the institution and discourages genuine aspirants.
The organisation further demanded greater transparency in the conduct of examinations, evaluation of answer sheets, preparation of merit lists and publication of recruitment results. According to the protesters, every stage of recruitment should be monitored through technology and subjected to independent audits to prevent manipulation.
Police had made elaborate security arrangements around the KPSC headquarters anticipating attempts to gherao the office. More than 50 police personnel were deployed around the premises, with multiple barricades erected from the KPSC office towards the CID office to prevent protesters from entering the complex. Entry was restricted to employees and people with official work.
Traffic movement around the area was also regulated as a precautionary measure. Despite heavy security, protesters continued raising slogans against the commission and demanded justice for job aspirants.
The agitation reflects the growing frustration among thousands of government job aspirants across Karnataka, where allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations have repeatedly surfaced over the years. Student organisations argue that unless structural reforms are introduced in KPSC, confidence in the state’s recruitment system cannot be restored.
The KPSC controversy has already triggered statewide debates over transparency and accountability in public recruitment. Opposition parties, student bodies and civil society organisations have been demanding stronger oversight mechanisms, time-bound investigations and institutional reforms to ensure merit-based appointments.
With investigations into the alleged recruitment scams still underway, the latest protest has added fresh pressure on the state government to expedite inquiries and initiate corrective measures. Protesters warned that if decisive action is not taken soon, demonstrations would be intensified across Karnataka until the recruitment process is made fully transparent and corruption-free.
