Tragic Suicide Sparks Protests In Hyderabad Over Group-II Exam Postponement Concerns

Hyderabad: Late on Friday night, the Ashoknagar neighborhood in Hyderabad bore witness to widespread protests following the tragic suicide of a 23-year-old woman, Marri Pravalika, who had taken her own life while residing in a local hostel. Marri Pravalika, a native of Warangal, was reportedly preparing for the highly-anticipated Group-II exams conducted by the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC).

In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, groups of students and young individuals took to the streets of Ashoknagar to express their grievances. They alleged that Pravalika had been deeply distressed by the sudden postponement of the Group-II exams, which eventually led to her decision to end her own life.

A purported suicide note, believed to have been authored by Pravalika, included an emotional plea to her mother for forgiveness, emphasizing her sense of helplessness.

The tragic incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Gandhinagar police, prompting law enforcement to swiftly respond to the Ashoknagar locality. The protests gained momentum around midnight as aspirants for the Group-II exams, as well as other students, rallied together in significant numbers to voice their concerns.

The TSPSC had recently rescheduled the Group II exams in light of the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for November. These postponed exams are now slated to take place on January 6 and 7, 2024, having initially been scheduled for November 2 and 3.

The decision to reschedule was deemed necessary because the original exam dates coincided with the notification dates for the elections, causing potential logistical conflicts. The administrative staff involved would be heavily occupied with election-related responsibilities during the initial examination dates.

A substantial number of aspirants, numbering over 5.5 lakh students, have registered to take these crucial exams, which aim to fill 783 Group-II positions.

The TSPSC officially cited the need for rescheduling due to the overlap between the exam and election notification dates, as well as the anticipated preoccupation of the administrative machinery with election-related duties. The Commission had previously announced 783 Group-II vacancies, and the registration count stood at 5,51,943 candidates.