Odisha Chhatra Congress activists stage demo alleging irregularities in Junior teacher recruitment

There seems to be no let-up in the ongoing political slugfest over the alleged irregularities in the Junior teachers’ recruitment in Odisha. Scores of Chhatra Congress activists on Tuesday staged a demonstration in front of the residence of School and Mass Education Minister Sudam Marndi in Bhubaneswar.

The activists also hurled eggs and tomatoes at the residence of the minister during their demonstration which was led by the Chhatra Congress president, Yasir Nawaz. The activists burnt the effigies of the Union Education Minister and the State Education Minister and demanded a judicial probe into the matter.

“Earlier there was massive corruption in Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruitment and now in Junior Teachers’ recruitment. In Odisha, both PM Narendra Modi and CM Naveen Patnaik have sold the jobs. We have come to the residence of the Education Minister to ask who is ‘Mahal Manda and Mahal Manda Pro’ whose names have featured on the admit cards,” alleged Nawaz.

It is pertinent to mention here that a massive controversy erupted after some abnormality was detected in the admit cards. In the e-admit card of a candidate, his name was mentioned as Mahal Manda and his father’s name as Mahal Manda Pro. Several aspirants are also alleging irregularities in the Computer-Based Test (CBT). They alleged that a cut-off list had not been published before the merit list.

Senior BJP leader, Bhrugu Buxipatra said, “There is a need to wipe out such Mahal Mandas in Odisha. The BJP opposes the way the Odisha government is playing with the future of Odisha people and youth.”

Responding to the allegations, BJD MLA Nursingha Sahu, “Opposition will always say negative words. They will never praise the state government. The government has no role in the alleged irregularities.”