Appreciating the recent protests led by youths over the leak of NEET question paper, Karnataka’s Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa said the youth should question the government and the society.

Addressing the gathering after hoisting the national tricolour in Shivamogga, on August 15, the Minister said “The youth raised their voice for employment, education, justice, and their future. The protests reflected a mindset among the youth to question the government. I respect them. The youth should question the government, society and us as well.”

Recalling the struggle and sacrifice of freedom fighters during the national movement for independence, the Minister called upon the people to strive towards realising the country their elders had fought for.

“We have many challenges before us. We need to fight against poverty, hunger, unemployment and injustice. This is our new freedom struggle. We need to fight against forces that try to divide us on the lines of caste and religion,” he said.

Recruitment to fill 72,000 vacancies

Mr. Bangarappa said the State Government launched a programme to form 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas across Karnataka. The guidelines for the sanghas had been issued, and each sangha would receive ₹10 lakh to conduct its activities. He said the youth should take part in nation-building.

The government had given special attention to the education sector and had decided to build 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) across the State. He said the programme to launch this ambitious plan would be held in Shivamogga in the coming days, and that 59 KP schools were planned to be set up in the district.

He further said the government had initiated the process to fill 72,000 vacancies, including for 15,000 teachers. He added that the government wanted to help youth access job vacancies in the private sector through the ‘Yuva Udyoga Sethu’ scheme.

Problems of cultivators

The Minister assured the people of Shivamogga that the problems faced by bagair hukum cultivators, and those displaced by the Sharavati project, would be resolved, as the matter is in the final stage.

The programme was marked by cultural performances and a marchpast. As many as 29 platoons, including the DAR, KSRP, Civil Police, Home Guards, Forest Department, NCC and schoolchildren, took part in the marchpast led by RPI Yuvaraj S.S.

Legislators Balkhees Banu, D.S. Arun, Dhananjaya Sarji, DC Prabhulinga Kavalikatti, Superintendent of Police B. Nikhil, and Zilla Panchayat CEO N. Hemanth were among those present at the event.

Cultural performances

Cultural programmes presented by schoolchildren to mark the 80th Independence Day celebrations won the hearts of the gathering. Students of Kiran Kendra Vidyalaya performed a group dance and a Mallakhamb display — a traditional sport combining gymnastics and wrestling grips — exhibiting yoga postures on a vertical wooden pole.

Students of Mountain Innovative School presented a group dance based on Operation Sindoor. Students of Machenahalli Police Public School presented a group dance depicting the valour and sacrifice of freedom fighters. The Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports presented a cultural programme highlighting the importance of the State Government’s Bharat Jodo Yuva Sangha scheme.

Published - August 15, 2026 02:36 pm IST