Agartala, 16th October 2026 : Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has extended his support to the ongoing protest by unemployed youths who have cleared the TET-1 examination, demanding jobs. He urged Chief Minister Manik Saha to hold discussions with the agitating candidates and take concrete steps to address their grievances.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Sarkar described the demands of the job aspirants as justified and expressed solidarity with their movement. He said the government should engage with the protesters instead of ignoring their concerns.
“I wholeheartedly support their movement. It may not be possible to provide jobs to everyone at once, but why should the Chief Minister not talk to them?” Sarkar asked.
He pointed out that a large section of the protesting candidates was seeking employment in the Education Department, which is also under the charge of the Chief Minister. Given this, he said, the Chief Minister should take the initiative to meet the candidates, listen to their concerns and explore possible solutions.
Sarkar termed the alleged neglect of the job aspirants unethical and inhumane, expressing concern over their having to sit on the streets from morning until late at night to press for their demands. He also questioned the government’s role in allowing such a situation to continue.
The former Chief Minister stressed that the government must adopt a positive approach towards the protesters rather than overlook their grievances. He called for dialogue with representatives of the agitating candidates and urged the authorities to take constructive measures to ensure employment opportunities based on merit and eligibility.
The protest by TET-1-qualified job aspirants, who have been staging a prolonged sit-in demanding employment, has drawn renewed political attention following Sarkar’s public support for their cause. His remarks have added to the pressure on the state government to engage with the candidates and work towards an amicable resolution.
