ABVP Protest Erupts At DPI, Commissioner Allegedly Manhandled In Bhopal

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: A protest by primary teacher candidates at the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) office turned violent on Thursday when assistant workers of the All India Ban on Violence and Protests (ABVP) allegedly roughed up Commissioner of Public Instruction Abhishek Singh while attempting to enter his office. Sources reported that some DPI staff and officials also engaged in a physical altercation with the ABVP members as the situation escalated.

The incident occurred when approximately 40 ABVP members arrived at the DPI office to support primary teacher candidates, who have been staging a protest outside the office for around 15 days. The protesters demanded an increase in the number of posts for successful candidates, arguing that they have been denied appointments due to issues related to their Master's degree and existing recruitment guidelines.

ABVP members, in response, insisted on entering the office to confront officials directly, as their grievances were reportedly not being addressed outside. The protesters first gathered on the premises, then entered the office, and eventually tried to breach the Commissioner's chamber. Tensions heightened when they entered the chamber, allegedly using abusive language towards the Commissioner and engaging in physical confrontations with the officials.

Following the incident, DPI employees and officials responded by staging a symbolic work-to-rule protest, threatening to escalate if proper security measures are not implemented. Commissioner Abhishek Singh disclosed that discussions were underway with the protesting teachers, and their concerns were being considered. He also mentioned that similar talks had been held with the selected teachers previously, and the dialogue channel remained open.