A Statewide Movement Fueled by Broken Promises
The state of Andhra Pradesh witnessed a massive wave of protests as the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, launched the “Yuvatha Poru” (Youth Struggle) movement. Spanning all 26 districts, this powerful demonstration brought together students, unemployed youth, parents, and YSRCP activists in an unprecedented show of defiance against the current government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Jagan Mohan Reddy called this protest a “first warning” to the coalition government, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction over unfulfilled promises in education and employment.
The protests were characterized by large-scale rallies, dharnas, and confrontations with law enforcement. Participants faced police barricades and restrictions but remained determined to voice their grievances. Jagan accused the government of neglecting the state’s youth, alleging that its policies threaten to push poor students out of education and revive the hardships of Naidu’s earlier tenure.
Unified Protests Across Andhra Pradesh
From the coastal regions of Srikakulam to the Rayalaseema heartlands of Kadapa, Kurnool, and Chittoor, the protests painted a vivid picture of unity and frustration. In Chittoor, MLA Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy led a massive rally to the Collectorate, condemning unpaid fee reimbursements and the privatization of medical colleges. In Visakhapatnam, clashes erupted between students and police as demonstrators pushed past barricades near the Zilla Parishad Center, demanding accountability. Vijayawada saw roads blocked by police, yet former Minister Perni Nani vowed that the fight would continue even if jails were filled with YSRCP activists.
In Guntur, a march from Swami Theatre to the Collector’s office spotlighted students’ struggles with unpaid fees and pressure from college administrations. Anantapur saw thousands raising their voices against the government’s failure to deliver on its promises, while Kadapa’s protests, led by District President Ravindranath Reddy, emphasized the government’s massive Rs. 7,100 crore backlog in student dues.
The movement extended to West Godavari, where protestors demanded unemployment allowances, and Krishna, where leaders accused the ruling coalition of living in luxury while ignoring the needs of students. Tirupati hosted a massive gathering of 5,000 protesters, slamming the government’s inadequate financial support for education.
The Stark Reality of Unmet Commitments
YS Jagan laid bare the financial shortfalls plaguing the state’s youth. Promised allocations of Rs. 3,900 crore annually for fee reimbursements and support schemes saw only Rs. 700 crore disbursed last year, leaving a staggering Rs. 7,100 crore in unpaid dues. Similarly, employment commitments, including 20 lakh jobs and Rs. 3,000 monthly unemployment allowances, remain unfulfilled, with no budgetary allocation for these promises.
Jagan contrasted the current administration’s failures with his government’s successful Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena schemes, which directly transferred funds to students and their mothers, ensuring no child was denied education due to financial constraints. He accused the Naidu government of dismantling these transformative initiatives and prioritizing privatization over public welfare.
A Warning That Demands Action
“Yuvatha Poru” has emerged as more than a protest—it is a declaration of the youth’s determination to hold the government accountable. From Srikakulam’s coastal edge to Sri Sathya Sai’s rural heartlands, the people of Andhra Pradesh have signaled their unwillingness to be silenced. Jagan praised the resilience of students, parents, and unemployed youth who braved police actions to make their voices heard.
As tensions rise and dissatisfaction spreads, the message is clear: this is only the beginning. If the government continues to ignore the demands of its people, the roar of Andhra’s youth will only grow louder.
