Mangaluru: The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Dakshina Kannada District Committee, has announced a three-day youth rally across the district from September 7 to 9, demanding priority for locals in employment and urgent measures for job creation.

Rally details announced

District president B.K. Immiaz, speaking at a press conference in Mangaluru on Tuesday, said the rally would be launched at 9:30 a.m. on September 7 near the Belthangady bus stand. From there, the rally will travel to all taluks of the district, highlighting issues of unemployment and job insecurity.

The campaign will culminate in Mangaluru at 4 p.m. on September 9 with a public meeting and a massive youth procession. The procession will begin at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Circle and move towards Clock Tower, where the meeting will be held.

The inauguration ceremony will see renowned theatre artist Satish Shetty and DYFI state president Lavitra Vastad as chief guests.

Unemployment crisis in D.K. district

Highlighting the unemployment problem, Immiaz said the situation has worsened to the point that almost every household has at least one unemployed youth.

“Although lakhs of students graduate each year from hundreds of educational institutions across Dakshina Kannada, not even five per cent of the jobs they deserve are created locally. Vocational education institutions have turned into factories that produce unemployed youth while charging exorbitant fees,” he alleged.

He further said that industries operating in the district have not fulfilled their responsibility of creating jobs for local residents. Instead, contract and outsourcing systems with low wages and no job security are becoming dominant in the region.

Criticism of government policies

The DYFI leader also targeted the central government, accusing it of betraying its promise of creating two crore jobs annually.

“On the contrary, wrong policies are destroying existing employment opportunities. In Karnataka alone, over 2.5 lakh government posts are lying vacant,” Immiaz said.

He emphasised that despite the presence of large industries in Dakshina Kannada, locals are routinely denied opportunities. He also pointed out that the government has failed to utilise the district’s potential in coastal industries and commercial crops such as coconut, areca nut, and rubber, which could generate significant employment.

A call for action

The DYFI has demanded:

  • Filling of vacant government posts in Karnataka.

  • Priority for locals in private and industrial employment.

  • Long-term policies to strengthen agriculture-linked industries.

  • Measures to regulate exploitative outsourcing practices.

    • Party leaders said the rally will serve as both a protest and a movement to raise awareness among the youth about their rights. They urged the government to respond before the unemployment crisis deepens further.

    With participation expected from thousands of young people, the DYFI plans to make the rally a strong message to both the state and central governments that the demand for local jobs can no longer be ignored.