Protest for jobs: OUAT students stage unique protest with vegetables, hens

Members of the All Odisha Agro Polytechnic Students’ Association (AOAPSA) of the Odisha University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT) on Wednesday staged protest at the lower PMG square area in Bhubaneswar demanding jobs.

The agitating students, who have completed Diploma from OUAT, staged the protest with vegetables and hens. They further accused the Odisha government of neglecting them and not taking any step to provide them employment. 

“Despite completion of Diploma course in Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Science and Fisheries, we do not have any job,” rued a protesting student.

“Instead of giving us appointment, the Odisha government is much interested in giving priority and preference to Plus II pass students,” said another student.

The irate students raised slogans against the state government and demanded for merit based selection for job opportunities.

One of the protesting student, Aswini said, “Every year around 200 students pass out from the institute. The government is now selecting freshers and providing them 2-year training. We have completed our +2 science and also the course in OUAT; but we have been sidelined. We demand reservation in various wings for us.”