‘Ek Kachori Do Samosa, Shiksha Mantri Ka Kya Bharosa?’: MP Teacher Aspirants Protest in Bhopal, Seek More Vacancies

October 16, 2026

Bhopal, MP: Teacher recruitment aspirants staged a protest at Roshanpura Square in Bhopal on Thursday, demanding an increase in Class-2 and Class-3 teaching vacancies in Madhya Pradesh. Raising slogans against the state government and the Education Minister, the candidates said they were still waiting for action on earlier assurances to expand the number of posts.

The protesters have been seeking more government school teaching jobs for months, arguing that the advertised vacancies are insufficient compared with the number of qualified candidates awaiting permanent employment.

During the demonstration, candidates raised slogans including “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Shiksha Mantri jhootha hai” (the Education Minister is a liar) and “Shiksha Mantri gayab hai” (the Education Minister is missing). One of the slogans, “Ek kachori do samosa, Shiksha Mantri ka kya bharosa?”, drew attention to their frustration with the government’s response.

Teacher Aspirants Say Earlier Assurances Remain Unfulfilled

Candidate Narendra Rajput said the group had been protesting since November 17, 2025, even before the recruitment examination results were declared, but its concerns had not been addressed.

He recalled a large demonstration on January 6, when thousands of aspiring teachers gathered in Bhopal. According to Rajput, the candidates were assured that the number of vacancies would be increased, but the promised expansion did not materialise.

Rajput also cited previous recruitment cycles in Madhya Pradesh and examples from other states, arguing that promotions and adjustments to recruitment numbers should be considered to create more opportunities for eligible candidates.

He referred to 23 promotion cases in 2022 and 22 in 2018, claiming that promotions had also taken place in Uttar Pradesh during a recent recruitment process.

The candidates said they were not opposed to the 50 per cent reservation for guest teachers. However, they argued that the number of advertised posts should have been determined after taking the reservation provision into account.

Rajput also pointed to a clause in the recruitment notification that allows the number of vacancies to be increased or decreased. He demanded a written response from the government explaining whether the requested increase would be considered.

“If the Education Minister explicitly states that he cannot increase the number of posts, we will leave,” Rajput said, adding that the candidates wanted the government to put its earlier assurances in writing.

Protesters Seek Meeting With Chief Minister Mohan Yadav

The candidates said they would continue their agitation and seek a meeting with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to present their demands directly.

Rajput maintained that the protesters had the right to question the government they had elected and seek action on employment-related concerns.

He also objected to suggestions that the candidates should voluntarily surrender their protest, saying they were educated individuals who understood their rights.

According to Rajput, some candidates had undertaken hunger strikes, including a fast without water, to draw attention to their demands. He said the prolonged agitation had taken a physical toll on protesters, but they felt compelled to continue because their concerns had not been resolved.

The candidates have maintained that their movement will continue until the government responds to their demands for additional vacancies and greater recruitment opportunities.

Rahul Gandhi Writes to CM Over Teacher Recruitment

The protest comes after Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on September 29, urging the state government to address the concerns of teacher recruitment candidates and increase the number of Class-2 and Class-3 posts.

In his letter, Gandhi said Madhya Pradesh government schools had more than one lakh vacant teaching positions, which he argued were affecting children’s education.

He cited the Teacher Recruitment 2025 process, under which 13,089 Class-3 posts and 10,800 Class-2 posts had been announced.

Gandhi also highlighted the difficulties faced by candidates who had secured good marks but were still waiting for permanent employment because of the limited number of vacancies. He raised concerns about applicants who had crossed the prescribed age limit while waiting for further recruitment opportunities.

He urged the Chief Minister to withdraw notices issued to protesting candidates, meet their representatives and hear their grievances. He also called for promotions to be initiated and a second round of counselling to be conducted for Class-2 and Class-3 recruitment.

Candidates Demand 25,000 Class-3 Posts

According to the representation submitted by the candidates to Rahul Gandhi, Madhya Pradesh’s Education Department had more than 1.15 lakh sanctioned teaching posts, while around 15,000 positions were being filled through the ongoing recruitment process.

The aspirants have demanded an increase of 3,000 posts in each subject under Class-2 recruitment. For Class-3 recruitment, they have sought a total of 25,000 posts.

They have also appealed to Gandhi to visit Bhopal and take up their demands with the appropriate authorities.

The candidates said their indefinite protest, which began on August 21, 2026, was continuing. Their principal demands remain an increase in teaching vacancies, greater opportunities for qualified applicants and a clear written response from the state government.

The dispute highlights the continuing concerns of aspiring teachers over limited recruitment numbers, delayed employment opportunities and the availability of permanent teaching positions in Madhya Pradesh’s government schools.