Frustration over the prolonged delay in government appointments took a symbolic turn on Saturday when Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) rank holders ate grass outside the Kerala Secretariat, alleging that the state government had ignored their repeated requests for appointment orders, as reported in India Today.
Hello Mr. Rahul Gandhi, can’t you hear this goonj?
In Kerala, protesting youth have been forced to eat grass & soil as your govt remains deaf to their concerns over the PSC rank list.
They have been protesting for days. Don’t they deserve ‘Nyay’? pic.twitter.com/ldjgXpjk31
— Anoop Antony Joseph (@AnoopKaippalli) August 10, 2026
The protest has been continuing for 34 days, with candidates who cleared the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examination and were included in the rank list demanding that the government initiate the appointment process.
The rank holders said they had resorted to increasingly symbolic forms of protest after receiving no clear assurance from the government. One of the protesters said the candidates had been demonstrating for 34 days without receiving any positive response from the authorities.
“We have been protesting for 34 days. There is no good news from the government. They asked for two months, but I don’t know why they need two months,” the protester said.
He alleged that the candidates had tried different forms of protest to draw the government’s attention but had received no response.
“We are trying different types of protests, but there has been no response. The government is not taking any action towards us and is trying to avoid us,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Appointment Delay Amid Kerala PSC Controversy
The protest by the LPST rank holders comes amid a separate controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in the evaluation of a Kerala PSC examination conducted for chief-level posts in the State Planning Board.
The allegations have prompted the Kerala government to order a detailed investigation into the matter. In July, the Kerala Police announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged examination irregularities.
The SIT is headed by Inspector General of Police S Ajeetha Begum, while the Crime Branch has been entrusted with conducting a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
SIT Formed To Probe Examination Irregularities
According to the government order, the Crime Branch was directed to investigate the allegations in view of their “gravity” and the need for a prompt inquiry.
The order stated that an SIT was constituted with immediate effect under the chairmanship of S Ajeetha Begum, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Economic Offence Wing Headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram.
The investigation into the PSC examination controversy, however, has done little to address the uncertainty faced by the LPST rank holders, who continue to wait for appointment orders.
With their agitation entering its 34th day, the candidates are demanding that the government take action on their appointment claims and end the prolonged wait without further delay.
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