The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) organized a protest rally in favor of rank holders of the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday outside the Kerala Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram after police used water cannons to break up the protesters.
The BJYM, which is the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), organized the rally to show support to a group of PSC rank holders who have been on a hunger strike outside the Secretariat demanding jobs and alleged irregularities in the recruitment of various public services.
The protests escalated, leading to police action using water cannons against the demonstrators when they tried to cross the barricades.
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Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the alleged irregularities in the PSC examination process were being examined in detail and that the matter would be taken up at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
"The Chief Minister has asked us to thoroughly examine all aspects of the issue. We will not allow the credibility of the Kerala Public Service Commission to be undermined under any circumstances," Chennithala said.
He said a detailed inquiry had been directed by the Chief Minister and that a report would be submitted before Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. "Anyone responsible will be brought before the law," he said.
The Morcha also organized similar protests in Thrissur and Kollam.
Speaking to the protesters, senior BJP leader S Suresh stated that the job-seekers have been protesting for the past month, and added that the government could not even hold talks with them.
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Many of the protesters are suffering from various health complications, he added.
He alleged, "Yet the government is not even ready to hold discussions with them. There is no difference between the present V D Satheesan government and the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government in their attitude towards PSC job aspirants."
The PSC rank holders have been on an indefinite hunger strike, demanding immediate appointments and flagging delays and alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.
