Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Bhopal Protests Demand More Teacher Posts, Halt School Closures
Two groups are protesting about education in Bhopal.
One group wants the government to announce more teacher jobs.
They also want another counselling round for teacher recruitment.
The other group wants government schools to remain open.
Students, parents and teachers say schools need better buildings and more teachers.
Narendra Rajput is fasting to support the demand for more jobs.
Some women candidates have brought their children to the protest.
A local official said the demands would be sent to the state government and that Narendra’s condition was stable.
Teacher-recruitment candidates have protested indefinitely at Bhopal’s Neelam Park since August 21.
The candidates want more posts under the Secondary and Primary Teacher Recruitment-2025 and a second counselling round.
The School Bachao Sangharsh Samiti held a state-level convention opposing the closure of government schools.
Students, teachers and parents urged the government to improve school infrastructure and appoint more teachers instead of closing schools.
Narendra Rajput began an indefinite hunger strike, while officials said his condition was stable and the demands would be forwarded to the state government.
- Who
- Teacher-recruitment candidates, students, teachers, parents and the School Bachao Sangharsh Samiti; Narendra Rajput is leading a hunger strike.
- What
- Two protests are demanding additional teacher posts and opposing the closure of government schools.
- When
- The recruitment protest has continued since August 21; both protests were reported on Sunday, when Narendra had fasted for nearly 42 hours.
- Where
- Neelam Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Candidates say too few posts were advertised despite many vacancies, while the school campaign seeks better infrastructure and more teachers instead of closures.
Protesters and Education Campaigners
Government Response
Teacher recruitment
Protesters and Education Campaigners
Candidates want additional posts and a second counselling round, alleging that the government advertised fewer posts than the number of vacancies.
Government Response
The government’s stated response in the report was that the candidates’ demands would be forwarded to the state government; no decision on additional posts is reported.
Government school closures
Protesters and Education Campaigners
The School Bachao Sangharsh Samiti says schools should receive better infrastructure and more teachers rather than be shut down.
Government Response
The report does not provide a detailed government response to the school-closure campaign.
Protest conditions
Protesters and Education Campaigners
Protesters, including women with children, say they will continue despite mosquitoes, limited water and toilets, and safety concerns near the pond.
Government Response
Tehsildar Preeti Chaurasia said Narendra Rajput’s condition was stable while he was on hunger strike.
- Location
- Neelam Park, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Teacher protest start
- August 21
- Recruitment involved
- Secondary and Primary Teacher Recruitment-2025
- Main recruitment demands
- More posts and a second counselling round
- School campaign
- Opposition to the closure of government schools
- Hunger strike
- Narendra Rajput reported nearly 42 hours without food or water by Sunday
- Official response
- Tehsildar Preeti Chaurasia said the demands would be forwarded to the state government and that Rajput was stable