A viral drone video capturing a staggering sea of over 8,000 job aspirants sitting for a written test to fill fewer than 200 Homeguard positions in Odisha has ignited a fierce political debate, putting the spotlight squarely on the state's deepening unemployment crisis.
Massive Turnout for Meager Openings
The striking visuals emerged from the Jamadarpali airstrip in Sambalpur, where on December 16, local police transformed the runway into a massive examination hall. The recruitment drive aimed to fill just 187 Homeguard vacancies across 24 police stations in the district. Following an announcement on their official social media, candidates were asked to report by 6 am, leading to an overwhelming response.
Police later released aerial footage showing thousands of candidates seated in orderly rows, a scene that initially drew praise for its logistical management. However, the video's virality soon shifted the narrative from discipline to desperation, as social media users and political parties highlighted the grim reality it represented.
Political Blame Game Erupts
The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) seized on the episode, calling it a stark indicator of failed job promises. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty on Monday stated that the BJP's pledge of creating two crore jobs had "failed miserably." He expressed dismay, noting, "It is painful to see professionally qualified youths with BTech and MTech degrees sitting among thousands on an airstrip where the minimum qualification required is Class 5."
In response, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended its record. BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra argued that the challenges in Odisha are legacies of the BJD's long tenure. He asserted that the new government under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is aggressively speeding up government recruitment and working to attract private investments to expand job opportunities.
Wider Reactions and National Attention
The controversy quickly transcended state politics. The Indian National Congress also weighed in, posting the drone video on X (formerly Twitter) on December 19. The party's post read, "Look at the state of unemployment in the country. In Odisha, more than 9,000 candidates appeared for 187 home guard posts," calling it proof of the Modi government's failure and criticizing the lack of national media coverage.
The core of the debate hinges on the sight of graduates and postgraduates competing for low-paying, temporary Homeguard positions, a visual many say encapsulates the intense pressure and shrinking opportunities for Odisha's youth. While the administration showcased the event as a model of large-scale exam management, the public discourse has firmly anchored it as a symbol of a severe employment shortage.
