Panchkula Police Deploy Water Cannons to Quell Youth Congress Protest Over HPSC Recruitment
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, police in Panchkula utilized water cannons and erected heavy barricades on Tuesday to disperse hundreds of Haryana Youth Congress workers. The protesters had gathered outside the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) office, voicing strong allegations of recruitment corruption and what they termed the "systemic neglect" of local candidates in state government roles.
Standoff and Detentions in Sector 5
The demonstration, spearheaded by prominent MPs Deepender Hooda and Varun Chaudhary, quickly intensified into a standoff in Panchkula's Sector 5. Protesters attempted to "gherao" or encircle the commission's headquarters, leading to a confrontation with law enforcement. Following the clash, several key figures were detained, including Youth Congress national president Udaybhanu Chhib and state president Nishit Kataria.
The Core Grievance: Alleged Bias Against Local Candidates
At the heart of the Congress protest is a serious accusation that the HPSC is favoring candidates from outside Haryana for state government positions, thereby sidelining qualified local youth. Deepender Hooda highlighted this issue, pointing out that while Haryana students consistently excel in national examinations such as the UPSC and IIT, they are allegedly being "deliberately disqualified" from their own state's recruitment processes.
Hooda criticized what he described as "administrative paralysis," arguing that the influx of non-resident hires is not only frustrating local graduates but also undermining the efficiency of the state administration. In a pointed remark directed at Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Hooda noted that the names of Haryana youth are "gayab" or missing from recruitment lists, while the CM's name is "Nayab," implying a lack of representation.
Demands for Commission Dissolution and Reform
The Youth Congress has labeled the HPSC a "hub of scams," citing frequent instances of paper leaks and bribery allegations. To address the crisis, the party has issued a formal list of demands, which includes:
- The immediate dismissal of the current HPSC chairman.
- The appointment of a Haryana resident to the chairman position.
- The total dissolution of the HPSC.
- An impartial investigation into past recruitment processes.
Additionally, the party called for a policy ensuring that Haryana jobs remain exclusively for Haryana residents. They demanded that all currently vacant positions under the HPSC be re-advertised under new, transparent guidelines to restore fairness and integrity.
Broader Economic Impact and Lost Opportunities
The protest also shed light on wider economic concerns, with Hooda accusing the BJP government of diverting major projects away from Haryana. He mentioned that an international airport, a rail coach factory, and a defense university, which had been approved under previous administrations, were now being implemented in other states.
"If these projects were implemented here, lakhs of local youth would have been employed," Hooda stated. "Now, even the HPSC is recruiting outsiders. Where should our youth go?" This highlights the perceived double blow of lost infrastructure and job opportunities for Haryana's residents.
As of now, the state government has not issued a formal response to the allegations of corruption or the demand for the commission's dissolution, leaving the situation unresolved and tensions high in Panchkula.
