MPSC aspirants shift Pune protest to October 2 after police nod
MPSC aspirants have moved their Pune sit-in from September 27 to October 2 after police refused permission, with a CM meeting likely before the protest.
A planned sit-in by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants in Pune has been pushed from September 27 to October 2, after the organisers secured police approval for the revised date.
The protest is now to be held as a peaceful "satyagraha" outside Patrakar Bhavan, near S M Joshi Bridge. Organisers said the new date and venue have been cleared by the police.
The aspirants had originally intended to begin their sit-in at 10 a.m. on Sunday along the S M Joshi Bridge–Abasaheb Garware College stretch. Pune police declined permission for that plan, pointing to traffic and public order concerns. Notices were also issued to student representatives and to administrators of Telegram groups used by aspirants, cautioning them against organising or promoting an unauthorised agitation.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar had extended support to the agitation and was present when student representatives held discussions with the Pune police over permission.
The organisers announced the deferment on September 26. The shift to October 2, which coincides with Gandhi Jayanti, also creates room for talks with the state government. According to the organisers, a meeting with the Chief Minister is expected to take place before the protest, but a date is yet to be finalised.
The aspirants have been pressing a set of demands relating to the commission's examinations and recruitment, including greater transparency in the examination process, timely recruitment and declaration of results, and changes in the way the MPSC functions. They have also called for the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.
The rescheduled protest follows an earlier agitation by aspirants in Pune on September 7. In parallel, a state-appointed examination reforms committee led by additional chief secretary V Radha has been consulting aspirants on proposed changes to Maharashtra's recruitment examination system. The panel has received over 20,000 emails with suggestions covering examination schedules, transparency in evaluation, paper leaks and communication with candidates.