Nine months and still waiting

More than ten thousand selected teacher candidates in Madhya Pradesh have run out of patience. It has been roughly nine months since the merit list for secondary and primary school teachers was released. But appointment letters? Still not issued.

On Wednesday, a substantial crowd of these aspirants gathered outside the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) in Bhopal. Under a harsh summer sun, they staged a sit-in demonstration, demanding that the recruitment process be completed without further delays. Officials from the directorate watched from behind barricades as the protest swelled through the afternoon.

Selection list out, no joining in sight

The recruitment process began back in 2022. Eligibility tests were held in 2023, followed by the selection examination in April 2025. After a drawn-out procedure, the results were declared in September 2025, and the final selection list was published. That was nearly three fiscal quarters ago.

According to the candidates, the examination conduct rulebook – specifically section 3.28 – makes it mandatory to issue appointment orders within three months of releasing the selection list. That deadline passed long ago. “We have crossed eight, almost nine months now,” said a candidate from Vidisha, declining to be named. “There is no court stay. No legal hurdle. So why are we still waiting?”

‘Broken promises and endless assurances’

This isn’t the first time these candidates have taken to the streets. Between November 2025 and April 2026, aspirants made multiple trips to Bhopal, meeting departmental officers. Each time, they were sent back with verbal assurances. In March, officials reportedly said choice filing would begin soon. Then came word that joining might start in April. Neither happened.

The candidates’ core demand is simple: release the eligibility lists, complete the choice filing process, and issue appointment orders. “We are not asking for anything extra. Just what is already written in the rulebook,” said Dheerendra Chaurasia, one of the aspirants who has been following the matter closely.

Over 10,700 lives caught in limbo

The numbers tell a grim story. Nearly 10,700 selected candidates are directly affected. Many belong to farming families. Some run small tuition centres to make ends meet. A few have been surviving on odd jobs while waiting for this government job to materialise.

The new academic session began in April 2026 – but these teachers aren’t inside classrooms. Candidates point out that reports have repeatedly highlighted a severe shortage of teachers across the state. According to recent official data, nearly 1,895 schools in Madhya Pradesh do not have a single teacher on staff. Another 29,116 schools face a cumulative shortage of approximately 99,682 teachers. Rural areas are the worst hit, with only about 70 per cent of sanctioned posts filled.

“If schools are running without teachers, why delay our appointments?” asked Vivek Tiwari from Chhatarpur. His voice carried the weight of years. He said many selected candidates are now past 40 years of age. Personal lives are on hold – marriages, family planning, all deferred. “Some parents passed away waiting for their children to get this job. That is not an exaggeration. That is what has happened.”

What next? Agitation to escalate

Sources familiar with the matter said the DPI has acknowledged receipt of the memorandum submitted by the protesting group. However, no official statement or timeline has been issued yet.

Dinesh Thakur from Indore said all formalities – document verification, eligibility checks – are complete for most candidates. “The portal shows no update. We were told March, then April. Now April is also over. What do we tell our families?”

The candidates have made their position clear. If appointment orders are not issued within a reasonable timeframe now, they will scale up the agitation. “We have waited nine months. We cannot wait nine more,” said another protester as the evening crowd began to disperse. Bhopal’s police presence remained light, and no untoward incident was reported. But the simmering anger among these ten thousand aspirants is unlikely to fade unless the education department acts – and fast.

Bhopal Encounter: Murder Accused Arrested Amid Protests by Hindu Organisations

Police apprehend Asif alias Bomb in a short exchange of fire, hours after protests over the killing of a 35-year-old tea seller turned violent near the Chief Minister’s residence.

Police on Wednesday arrested the prime accused in the murder of a tea seller following a brief encounter in Bhopal, even as protests by Hindu organisations demanding stringent action escalated in the city. The accused, identified as Asif alias Bomb, was injured in the leg during the exchange of fire with a police team and is currently undergoing treatment at Hamidia Hospital.

Accused Neutralised in Short Encounter

Police sources confirmed that the arrest was made late Wednesday evening based on a specific tip-off regarding the accused’s location. As the police team attempted to corner him, the accused opened fire at the officers. In the retaliatory firing, Asif sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was subdued. A country-made pistol and the knife used in the murder were reportedly recovered from his possession.

Protests Intensify Near CM Residence

The police action came against the backdrop of massive protests by the Sakal Hindu Samaj and other groups. Demonstrators broke through barricades at the Roshanpura intersection earlier in the day and marched towards the Chief Minister’s residence. The crowd was stopped by heavy police deployment at the Polytechnic crossing, just 100 meters from their target, leading to a sit-in protest and a road blockade.

Victim Killed Over Minor Argument

According to the police, the victim, Vijay Mewada (35), a resident of Subhash Colony, was attacked late Sunday night. Mewada, who ran two tea stalls in the Ashoka Garden and Kolar areas, had gone to drop off his employees near Pragati Nagar around 1:30 am when the incident occurred.

Dispute Over Employee Altercation

Investigations reveal that Asif and his accomplices—Farhan, Kalu, and Imran—were seated at the location and began misbehaving with Mewada’s staff. When the staff refused to accompany them citing early morning work, the argument escalated. Mewada intervened, trying to calm the situation, but was allegedly stabbed in the stomach by Asif.

Family Protests and Public Outrage

The murder sparked widespread anger, with the victim’s family and locals staging a blockade in Subhash Colony on Monday. They also protested outside the Hamidia Hospital mortuary and the local police station. The family has been demanding the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) against the accused, a demand echoed by the protesting Hindu organisations.

Police Maintain Presence in Key Areas

Authorities have deployed additional police forces in sensitive areas, including the Hamidia Hospital and Ashoka Garden, to prevent any untoward incident. A senior police official stated that investigations are ongoing to track down the remaining accused, who are still at large following the initial attack.

Government and Future Outlook

Officials have assured that strict legal action will be taken against all perpetrators involved in the crime. With the primary accused now in custody, police are focusing on the swift arrest of his accomplices. The administration remains on high alert to maintain law and order, while community leaders have called for calm following the police action.