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A group of Kerala’s Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) rank holders staged a symbolic protest on Saturday by eating grass outside the state Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. The demonstration, part of a prolonged agitation lasting over 34 days, highlights growing frustration among candidates who secured top ranks in the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examination but remain without official appointment orders. The protest comes amid ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities in the PSC exam process for chief-level positions in the State Planning Board. The demonstrators sat in a line outside the Secretariat, each with a piece of grass placed on a sheet of paper before them. In a video shared by ANI, the individuals were seen consuming strands of grass, a gesture meant to underscore their desperation and the perceived neglect by authorities. The protest began after the publication of the PSC rank list on May 31 of last year, and has continued through multiple forms of demonstrations, including sit-ins and public appeals. One protester, speaking to ANI, expressed deep disappointment with the government’s lack of response. He emphasized that the group had been waiting for nearly three months for any resolution. “We are LPST rank holders. We have been protesting for 34 days. There is no good news from the government,” he said. He noted that the administration had requested two months to finalize appointments, yet no progress had been made. “I don’t know why they need two months. We are trying different types of protests, but there has been no response from the government,” he added, accusing officials of avoiding engagement with the issue. The situation has drawn attention to broader concerns about transparency and accountability within the PSC system. Earlier this month, the Kerala Police announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into allegations of irregularities during the PSC examination. According to reports, the SIT will be led by Inspector General of Police S Ajeetha Begum, based at the Economic Offence Wing Headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. This move follows claims by candidates that the evaluation process might have been compromised, leaving them in limbo without clear explanations or resolutions. The police directive cited a government order mandating a thorough inquiry into the allegations. It emphasized the seriousness of the accusations and the necessity of conducting a swift investigation to ensure justice and maintain public trust in the recruitment process. The SIT is expected to scrutinize all aspects of the examination, including the handling of applications, evaluation procedures, and communication channels between the commission and applicants. The prolonged uncertainty surrounding the appointments has created a tense atmosphere among the affected candidates. Many have raised questions about the fairness of the selection process and the reasons behind the delays. Some have suggested that the government’s reluctance to address the issue could indicate deeper systemic problems within the administrative framework. Others have called for greater transparency and immediate action to resolve the backlog of appointments. As the protest continues, the focus remains on whether the SIT’s findings will lead to tangible changes in how future recruitments are managed. For now, the LPST rank holders remain steadfast in their demand for clarity and timely action from the authorities. Their plight underscores the challenges faced by aspirants seeking stable employment in the public sector and raises critical questions about governance and accountability in state institutions.