NEW DELHI: On Thursday, the Prayagraj protest entered fourth successive day as the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) aspirants demanded changes in the schedule of upcoming exams. Students gathered outside the UPPSC office, breaking through barricades to voice their concerns.
The protests began on Monday in response to the UPPSC’s decision to conduct examinations in multiple shifts, a change from the previous format. Students argued that the shift system creates an unfair advantage for some students, as the difficulty level of the exam may vary between shifts.

Police use force to disrupt protest

Students allege the police attempted to disrupt the protest, threatening students and using force. “We were lathicharged here, even a disabled girl was manhandled by the police here. This is how the administration is treating the students here, even the students with disabilities,” Pravesh Kumar, a protesting student, told ANI.
“This is a completely wrong decision. We broke the barricades because we were not being allowed to enter. Police officials were threatening us not to form groups. They should think that if an aspirant has to come down and press for their demands through a protest, then who is lacking in it, the administration or the education department,” said Abhishek Shukla, another student participating in the protest.
The protests are ongoing, with students vowing to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met by the UPPSC.
Anti-social elements provoking UPPSC students: Prayagraj DCP
Prayagraj deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Abhishek Bharti said that certain individuals are instigating the protesting students.
According to DCP Bharti, these individuals are not students and have criminal histories. “Students are protesting against the state PSC. The students are being requested to continue with their protest constitutionally and their demands will be taken to the authorities. Yesterday, public property was vandalised by anti-social elements and cases have been registered against them. They are not students but anti-social elements, with history of criminal cases. Two have already been arrested. Such anti-social elements are being part of the protests and provoking the students. More of them are being identified and interrogated,” said the DCP.
The DCP also mentioned that two individuals have been arrested for vandalising public property during the protests.

Protests spark political debate
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav criticised the state government, saying, “The rise of students will be the fall of BJP. Unhone chalaya lathi-danda, naukri nahi jinka agenda (those who used lathicharge do not have jobs in their agenda).”
Uttar Pradesh deputy CM Keshav Maurya called for a quick resolution andurged officials to listen to the students and address their concerns promptly.