He was extending solidarity to agitating Group-I aspirants demanding postponement of Mains exams and the abolition of GO 29
HYDERABAD, OCTOBER 19, 2024: A high-voltage show prevailed in Hyderabad city with Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay staging dharna to express solidarity to the agitating aspirants of TGSPSC group-I, who are seeking postponement of the Mains examinations and abolition of controversial GO 29, in Hyderabad on Saturday.
The Union Minister began his day by meeting the aspirants at the BJP office. Later, he proceeded to Ashoknagar, the epicentre of coaching institutions for civil services and other competitive examinations in Hyderabad city. After meeting the aspirants, the Minister squatted on the road and staged a dharna demanding the postponement of the exams and abolition of GO 29, which the aspirants claimed it obstructs SC, ST and BC reservations.
After listening to the grievances of the aspirants, the Union Minister took out a rally called ‘Chalo Secretariat’ to meet Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and apprise him about the present situation. When police obstructed, he staged a dharna in front of the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at Tank Bund. He also condemned the brutal lathi-charge on the aspirants including women.
Thousands of unemployed youth and Group-1 aspirants gathered to join the Union Minister in his sit-in. The crowd raised slogans of “Down Down CM” and “Repeal G.O. 29.” They also demanded the rescheduling of the Group-1 exams, shouting “We want justice.”
As the sit-in continued, BJP youth wing and women’s wing leaders and party workers also arrived at the scene to show solidarity with Sanjay. The police struggled hard to control the growing surge of crowd of unemployed youth. Security measures, such as barricades and restrictions near hostels, were enforced to prevent more people from joining, but thousands managed to gather at Ashok Nagar Crossroads to support Sanjay. The tension escalated as both the protesters and police gathered in large numbers.
Many of the unemployed, who had been wrongfully detained and beaten by the police, complained and submitted petitions to the Union Minister, asking him to stand by them until G.O. 29 was repealed. The unemployed youth highlighted the injustices committed by both the previous BRS government and the current Congress administration.
Despite senior police officers asking Sanjay to leave, the Union Minister refused, stating that he wouldn’t move until justice was served for the Group 1 candidates. As a result, the protest continued in a tense atmosphere, with Sanjay sitting on the road alongside thousands of unemployed people.
Later, the police with much difficulty shifted from the agitation spot to the BJP party office where addressed a meeting demanding the government to reschedule the Group I exams, and release all arrested unconditionally.
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