The controversy dates back to 2018, when the Yogi Adityanath government launched a recruitment drive for 69,000 assistant teacher posts.

UP teachers recruitment scam: Protesters crawl to BJP minister's residence

The core grievance is not just the alleged scam but also the government's handling of the legal battle. Candidates allege that the state government has failed to effectively pursue the case in the Supreme Court.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Candidates protest against teacher recruitment scam
  • Supreme Court to hear the matter on May 19
  • Allegations of reservation violations and delays in recruitment

Candidates affected by the teacher recruitment scam in Uttar Pradesh took to the streets on Monday. They gheraoed the residence of Education Minister Sandeep Singh in Lucknow, demanding that the state government actively pursue their case in the Supreme Court.

The apex court is scheduled to hear the matter on May 19.

During the protest, some candidates crawled along the road in the peak summer heat to the minister’s residence, reflecting the depth of frustration that has built up over years of unresolved litigation.

Their core grievance is not just the alleged scam but also the government’s handling of the legal battle. Candidates allege that the state government has failed to effectively pursue the case in the Supreme Court.

UP teachers recruitment scam: Protesters crawl to BJP minister’s residence

Earlier, on April 22, hundreds of candidates had gathered outside the Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow, some carrying brooms and pots hung around their necks in protest.

THE SCAM & LEGAL TANGLE

The controversy dates back to 2018, when the Yogi Adityanath government launched a recruitment drive for 69,000 assistant teacher posts. Candidates who had cleared the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) applied, a merit list was prepared, and the positions were filled.

The dispute, however, arose when reserved category candidates alleged that the reservation policy had not been properly followed.

The candidates alleged gross violations of the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education (Teachers) Service Rules, 1981 and the UP Reservation Rules (1994), claiming that around 19,000 seats were filled in a manner that excluded eligible candidates.

They also alleged that the government intentionally delayed the recruitment process, which had a disproportionate impact on applicants from Dalit and OBC communities.

In August 2024, the Allahabad High Court cancelled the selection lists from June 2020 and January 2022. It directed the Uttar Pradesh government to prepare a fresh list for 69,000 teachers within three months, in accordance with reservation rules.

However, the Supreme Court later stayed the order, further complicating the situation for the candidates.

With candidates having exhausted every possible avenue, but without any result, all eyes are now on the Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday.

- Ends