And that’s how a 15-day standoff ended. The former CM didn’t just mediate; he called the Education Minister on the spot, got a promise for talks on Tuesday, and convinced exhausted candidates to break their fast. But here’s the real story: 42,957 teacher posts are lying empty. 21,032 more for Class 3. And candidates say the government’s current recruitment covers barely a fraction. The protest wasn’t just about numbers; it was about fairness. Why are 13% of posts reportedly being held? Why are guest teachers working 15-20 years without pay? And why are 1.2 million kids dropping out? Kamal Nath backed them too. This isn’t about politics; it’s about the classroom. If schools stay understaffed, who’s really losing?