Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Kerala LPST hunger strike ends after ministerial assurance on demands
Some people in Kerala wanted to become school teachers.
They passed a test and their names went on a special list, but they were not getting jobs.
To show they were serious, they stopped eating for many days.
This is called a hunger strike.
They stayed outside a big government building in Thiruvananthapuram.
Their leader, S. Valarmathi, became unwell because she was not eating.
The Education Minister met them and promised to look at their requests.
Then the leader ended her fast when the minister gave her lime juice.
But the protest is not fully over.
They will keep showing peaceful signs outside until the government really does what it promised.
A 37-day indefinite hunger strike by LPST rank holders outside the Kerala Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram ended after talks with Education Minister N. Shamsudeen.
Strike leader S. Valarmathi concluded her fast after the minister personally served her lime juice following government assurances.
Rank holders demand extension of PSC rank list validity, appointments against the maximum possible vacancies, and creation of additional posts by reducing the student-teacher ratio.
Protesters said they will not fully leave the venue and will continue symbolic protests until the government implements its assurances.
Earlier demonstrations included candidates eating grass on the 35th day and UPST rank holders painting clown faces; the end of the strike is seen as a temporary truce.
The agitation intensified after the government sought two months' time to examine the demands, which the rank holders rejected.
- Who
- LPST and UPST teacher rank holders, led by hunger-striking candidate S. Valarmathi, and Kerala Education Minister N. Shamsudeen.
- What
- A 37-day indefinite hunger strike over teacher recruitment and vacancies was withdrawn after the government gave assurances on the protesters' demands.
- When
- Called off after 37 days of protest; the article gives no specific calendar dates.
- Where
- Outside the Kerala Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Why
- To press the government to extend the validity of the PSC rank list, fill the maximum possible vacancies from the list, and create additional posts by reducing the student-teacher ratio.
Protesters' Perspective
Government's Position
Timeline for addressing demands
Protesters' Perspective
Rank holders rejected the government's request for two months' time to examine their demands and insisted on immediate action.
Government's Position
The government asked for two months to examine the demands and assured protesters they would be considered favourably.
Response to the agitation
Protesters' Perspective
Candidates staged unconventional demonstrations, including eating grass and painting clown faces, citing government inaction and indifference.
Government's Position
The government entered ministerial-level negotiations after the agitation intensified and Valarmathi's health deteriorated, leading to assurances.
- Hunger strike duration
- 37 days (indefinite)
- Venue
- Kerala Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
- Strike leader
- S. Valarmathi
- Government negotiator
- Education Minister N. Shamsudeen
- Main demands
- Extension of PSC rank list validity, appointments against maximum vacancies, and reducing the student-teacher ratio to create posts
- Symbolic protests
- Eating grass on the 35th day; UPST rank holders painting clown faces (protest over 11 days)
- Current status
- Hunger strike withdrawn; symbolic protests to continue until assurances are implemented