MPSC Students Announce Indefinite Protest in Pune, Demand Chairman’s Resignation
MPSC students have announced an indefinite sit-in protest in Pune over pending demands and alleged irregularities in the commission’s examination and recruitment processes. The protest will begin on October 2 at 10 am at S.M. Joshi Bridge in Navi Peth, with NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and Congress leader Dr. Vishwajeet Kadam expected to participate.
Pune: Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants have once again announced an indefinite protest against the commission’s functioning and over their pending demands.
The students are demanding the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, along with greater transparency in the examination and recruitment process. The indefinite sit-in is scheduled to begin at 10 am on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, at S.M. Joshi Bridge in Navi Peth, Pune.
NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) Party MLA Rohit Pawar and Congress leader Dr. Vishwajeet Kadam are expected to participate in the protest.
The students had initially planned to hold the agitation on September 27. However, the date was changed due to police deployment and technical reasons, according to student representatives.
Students Raise Concerns Over Exam Process
MPSC aspirants have been protesting over alleged irregularities in examinations, paper leaks and difficulties in the recruitment process.
Among their key demands are the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, appointment of a new chairman after consulting students, and greater transparency in the commission’s examination procedures.
The agitation gained momentum after the commission cancelled a recruitment process in August following an investigation into an alleged paper leak in the Drug Inspector recruitment examination.
Meeting With Chief Minister Expected
According to student representatives, a joint meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis may be held within the next two days. The students are expected to raise the chairman’s resignation and other major demands during the meeting.
The protesting students said the Chief Minister had earlier maintained that Bhimanwar's resignation could not be sought because his tenure had only recently begun. However, student representatives have decided to continue with their demand.
Political Leaders To Join Protest
Rohit Pawar has said that he will participate in the agitation, describing it as a student-focused and non-political protest. He has also said he will follow up on the students’ demands and the issue of preventing paper leaks.
Congress leader Dr. Vishwajeet Kadam has also announced his participation. According to Kadam, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had previously interacted with MPSC students and may also attend the Pune protest if required. However, Rahul Gandhi’s participation has not been officially confirmed.
The upcoming agitation is expected to bring renewed focus on examination transparency, recruitment procedures and the concerns of competitive-exam aspirants in Maharashtra.