Protest Erupts in Delhi: 44 Detained as SSC Aspirants Clash with Police

In New Delhi, a significant protest unfolded on Sunday evening at Ramlila Maidan, where students rallied against the Staff Selection Commission’s (SSC) Phase 13 Selection Post recruitment exam. The gathering, which attracted over 15,000 participants, escalated when approximately 100 protesters refused to disperse after the designated hours. This refusal triggered a confrontation with law enforcement, resulting in the detention of 44 individuals.

Officials had urged the students to conclude their protest within the allowed timeframe. Tensions rose as footage from the scene showed clashes between the aspiring candidates and police officers. The SSC aspirants are expressing frustration over perceived flaws in the selection process, which they claim has been marred by administrative shortcomings.

The SSC recruitment exam commenced on July 24, 2023, and was initially scheduled to conclude on August 1, 2023. This computer-based test (CBT) was intended to streamline the selection process. However, participants assert that the situation became contentious due to serious allegations of technical malfunctions, inadequate conditions at examination centres, and sudden cancellations of exams without prior notice.

Students reported being assigned examination centres located 400 to 500 kilometres from their homes. Many found themselves stranded after investing considerable time and money to travel to these distant locations, only to discover upon arrival that their exams had been cancelled. One teacher involved in the protest highlighted the distressing conditions: “Aspirants are being sent to far-flung locations, only to discover the exam is cancelled on arrival. At one centre, we found cattle housed on the ground floor while students were attempting the test upstairs. Bouncers have been placed at several centres to silence candidates raising genuine concerns,” they stated, as reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

The ongoing protests in Delhi are part of a broader call for accountability from the SSC. As students and educators join forces to demand transparency and fairness in the recruitment process, the situation remains fluid. With the aspirations of thousands at stake, the outcome of these protests could have significant implications for the future of recruitment examinations in India.

As tensions continue to rise, the SSC has yet to respond publicly to the claims raised by the aspirants. This incident underscores the urgency for the commission to address the grievances of students while ensuring a fair and efficient selection process moving forward.