Archive · 26 Aug 2026
LPST Rank Holders Mark Onam Protest With Street Pookkalam
Some people who qualified for lower primary teacher jobs are protesting outside the Secretariat.
They want the government to appoint them from an official job rank list.
Their protest had lasted 52 days by Thiruvonam Day.
Instead of celebrating Onam at home or in a new government job, they made a colorful Pookkalam on the street.
The group says it is waiting for the government to decide what to do.
The candidates previously held a 13-day hunger strike.
They stopped the hunger strike after speaking with the education minister.
The government asked for 45 days to study their demands.
The candidates continued their peaceful protest while waiting.
Lower Primary School Teacher rank holders created a traditional Pookkalam outside Kerala’s Secretariat on Thiruvonam Day.
The All Kerala LPST Rank Holders Association said the protest had continued for 52 days.
The protesters are demanding appointments from the Kerala Public Service Commission’s LPST rank list published in May 2025.
Association Secretary S Valarmathi said candidates were forced to celebrate Onam at the protest site instead of entering government service.
The group previously ended a 13-day hunger strike after talks with Education Minister N Samsudheen, while continuing its peaceful protest.
- Who
- Lower Primary School Teacher rank holders represented by the All Kerala LPST Rank Holders Association.
- What
- They staged a symbolic Onam protest by creating a traditional Pookkalam and continued demanding appointments.
- When
- On Thiruvonam Day, during the 52nd day of their protest; the rank list was published in May 2025.
- Where
- On the street outside the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Why
- They are seeking appointments from the Kerala Public Service Commission’s rank list for Lower Primary School Teacher posts.
Rank Holders’ Position
Government’s Position
Appointments and timing
Rank Holders’ Position
The rank holders say they should be appointed from the published LPST rank list and that young people should not have to protest instead of beginning government service.
Government’s Position
The government has not announced a final decision in the article and requested 45 days to examine the association’s demands.
Continuing protest
Rank Holders’ Position
The association ended its hunger strike but said its peaceful protest outside the Secretariat would continue until it receives a decision, hoping for a positive outcome.
Government’s Position
The government engaged with the protesters through discussions with Education Minister N Samsudheen, but the article does not report a commitment to appointments.
- Protest duration
- 52 days by Thiruvonam Day
- Protesting group
- All Kerala LPST Rank Holders Association
- Main demand
- Appointments from the Kerala Public Service Commission’s Lower Primary School Teacher rank list
- Rank-list date
- May 2025
- Onam demonstration
- A traditional Pookkalam created outside the Secretariat
- Earlier action
- A 13-day hunger strike
- Government response
- The government sought 45 days to examine the demands after discussions with Education Minister N Samsudheen