As many as 1000 job aspirants from Andhra Pradesh were attacked by pro-Kannada outfit, Karnataka Rakshana Vedika, across Karnataka on Saturday.
The aspirants had come to Hubballi, Bengaluru and Dharwad, to appear for the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Rural Banks exams.
Alleging that the local Kannada students were not getting enough representation in jobs of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), the Pro-Kannada outfit tore the Hall tickets of the candidates and even pelted stones.
One of the Kannada job aspirants even slit his wrist in protest against the Telugu students ‘taking away’ their jobs. Protests were held at Hubballi railway station, Raichur, Kolar, Gulbarga and Mandya districts.
The outfit alleged that the new changes made in the eligibility criteria for language proficiency have been depriving jobs to Kannada students, Deccan Chronicle reported.
The outfit had also reportedly warned that they will prevent Telugu students from appearing in exams in their state.
Reportedly, the Central government is unhappy with Karnataka government for failing to foresee the massive protests across the state, the DC report added.
After the protests turned violent, the exam was cancelled.
Learning about the incident, Andhra Chief Minister asked the state Chief Secretary and other officials to contact their counterparts in Karnataka and ensure the safety of the students until the completion of exams to be held on Sunday and Monday.
He reportedly even asked the Union Home Ministry to provide additional safety to the students, The Times of India reported.
Union minister Sujana Chowdary was also stepped in to ensure security to Telugu students in Karnataka, Agricultural Minister Somireddy Chandra Mohan also condemned the incident.