Prayagraj UPPSC protest: Police registers FIR against 12 people for vandalisation

PRAYAGRAJ: The Uttar Pradesh Police filed a criminal complaint against 12 people following acts of vandalism during a protest seeking single-shift examinations for the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC), authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

Candidates have been staging protests for two consecutive days near the commission's headquarters in Prayagraj, advocating for examinations to be conducted in "one day, one shift".


According to authorities, several troublemakers damaged barricades and destroyed coaching institute signboards on Tuesday night, prompting the police to register a case against 12 individuals.

"An FIR has been filed against 12 individuals. Some people have also been taken into police custody," Prayagraj deputy commissioner of police Abhishek Bharti said.

UPPSC representatives have engaged with demonstrators at the protest location to clarify policies and seek their input, whilst encouraging them to suggest viable alternatives.

Sources indicate that following unproductive discussions with officials last night, the students maintain their resolve to pursue their demands. They are mobilising additional colleagues and anticipate increased participation on Wednesday. Armed with sustenance including biscuits, they are committed to maintaining their non-violent demonstration until their grievances receive attention.

The candidates are insisting that the forthcoming PCS and RO/ARO examinations should be administered in one shift, reverting to the previous format. They contend this approach would ensure greater fairness and administrative efficiency.

The student demonstrations have sparked political controversy across Uttar Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav criticized the state government over the ongoing protests, referring to the situation as "Yogi vs. competitor students." He questioned whether the government would now use bulldozers to target student accommodations.

Yadav posted on X (formerly Twitter), "The rise of the students will be the fall of the BJP," and added, "Unhone chalaya lathi-danda 'Naukri' nahi jinka agenda."

Yadav further criticized the BJP, alleging that the government’s focus on communal politics had shifted attention away from urgent issues like employment.

He stated, "The people of BJP do politics to keep the people engaged in the struggle for livelihood so that BJP people can continue to indulge in corruption under the guise of communal politics." He also pointed out that job vacancies remained unfilled and exams had been delayed for years, making the youth frustrated and angry.


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