Violence Erupts During Andhra Protest Over Teacher Hiring Under Sports Quota

The YSR Congress Party's (YSRCP) protest demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the Mega DSC-2025 sports quota recruitment turned tense outside the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) office in Vijayawada on Monday, with YSRCP and sports-quota teachers staging rival protests.YSRCP leaders alleged that candidates with fake or questionable sports certificates were given teaching jobs while genuine sportspersons were denied opportunities. Party leaders, including Youth Empowerment Convener and former Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) board member Salam Babu, demanded an independent investigation into the selections."The government should answer the allegations instead of using the police to suppress the voice of job aspirants," YSRCP leaders said.Police had denied permission for the protest, citing prohibitory orders, traffic restrictions and security arrangements for Vinayaka immersion processions. Despite the restrictions, YSRCP workers gathered near the SAAP office.