Mysuru: Alleging illegal recruitment of 124 non-teaching staff in University of Mysore, members of the University Researchers Association staged a demonstration in front of Dr. Ambedkar statue in Manasagangothri campus here yesterday seeking action against those responsible for the illegality.

Stating that the then Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Registrar Prof. Rajanna and Deputy Registrar Vishakanta had illegally appointed 124 non-teaching staff in Dec. 2016, just a month before Prof. Rangappa demitted office, the protesters maintained that a probe committee appointed by Governor Vajubhai R. Vala has submitted a report highlighting the irregularity.

As such, a criminal case must be registered against all the officials responsible for illegal recruitment, they urged.

Claiming that the reservation norms were flouted in the appointments, the protesters also maintained that this would result in social imbalance with many deserving candidates from SC/ST and other oppressed communities deprived of recruitment.

The protesters also demanded the sacking of all the 124 non-teaching staff and to make fresh recruitment in keeping with reservation norms.

They also strongly condemned the appointment of Prof. Rajanna as University Registrar, in violation of High Court order.

Association President D. Mahadevaswamy, office-bearers S. Gopal, H.P. Manju, Mahesh Sosale and others were present during the protest.