Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on 9 May launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led "double-engine" government in Bihar, a day after police allegedly resorted to a lathi-charge on teacher recruitment aspirants staging a peaceful protest in Patna. The incident, which left several students injured, has reignited a national debate over unemployment and the treatment of educated youth seeking government jobs.

Gandhi's Remarks on X

In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Gandhi condemned the police action, stating that the Bihar Police had "brutally beaten — once again — teacher aspirants who were holding a peaceful protest demanding employment." He criticised the government's response to unemployed youth, asserting that the BJP's answer to their demands was the lathi (baton). Gandhi further declared that the Congress party stands firmly behind the aggrieved aspirants and that young people are "no longer willing to remain silent."

What Happened at JP Golambar

The protest erupted in Patna on Friday, 9 May, when approximately 5,000 teacher recruitment aspirants marched from Patna College to the office of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), demanding the immediate release of the Teachers Recruitment Examination-4 (TRE-4) recruitment advertisement. The demonstration turned tense near JP Golambar when police allegedly resorted to a lathi-charge after demonstrators attempted to breach barricades. Several aspirants sustained injuries, and videos circulating from the site showed police chasing demonstrators through nearby roads.

The Core Demand: TRE-4 Notification

The aspirants have accused the BPSC of repeatedly creating confusion about the advertisement schedule and delaying the recruitment process. The TRE-4 notification, which was expected to open a fresh cycle of teacher appointments in the state, has not been released, leaving thousands of qualified candidates in limbo. This is not the first such demonstration in Patna over teacher recruitment delays — similar protests have occurred in previous years, making the issue a recurring flashpoint in Bihar's political landscape.

The Broader Unemployment Context

Gandhi highlighted that unemployment has become what he described as "the greatest malady facing the country today," with its most severe impact felt by youth in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He noted that large numbers of educated young people are struggling to find jobs despite holding degrees and qualifications. This comes amid persistent concerns over the pace of government recruitment across several states, with competitive examination delays drawing criticism from opposition parties and student groups alike.

What Comes Next

The Bihar government has not issued a detailed public response to Gandhi's remarks or the protest. Pressure is mounting on the BPSC to provide a clear timeline for the TRE-4 notification. With the recruitment impasse showing no immediate signs of resolution, further demonstrations by teacher aspirants in Patna cannot be ruled out.