A group of students polished shoes in Ranchi on Tuesday when the country was observing the National Youth Day, celebrated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda every year.

Over 50 students owing allegiance to the Congress affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI) assembled near the Jharkhand University of Technology in the Namkum area of Ranchi and some of them invited passers-by for getting their shoes polished.

Their protest drew attention as it was organised on the National Youth Day that is known for celebrating the energy of the youth on the birth anniversary of Swamiji who saw hope for the future of every child and believed they, with their “muscles of iron” and “nerves of steel”, could bring about social change.

“This was our unique way of lodging protest against the Union government’s lackadaisical attitude towards growing unemployment among the youths,” said Inderjit Singh, vice-president of NSUI state unit, adding the unemployment rate was growing with every passing day.

“The youths study hard to bag degrees but have to roam around aimlessly as they don’t get employment,” he said.

“Before the general election of 2014, Modiji had announced two crore jobs for the youth and Rs 15 lakh to accounts of every citizens,” said Aarushi Vandana, NUSI national coordinator who was also present during the protest, adding both turned out to be jumla (platitude/gimmick).

Such protests were also being organised elsewhere in the country, she further said, demanding the government must address the unemployment issue without further delay.

The protesting youths also carried placards with such slogans as Jumla nehi, jawab do/yuva ko rojgar do (provide employment to youth, not just platitude or gimmick) and Modi tere raj me, joota aa gaya haath me (we got shoes in our hands during your regime, Modi) written on those.