The protest by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants in Pune entered its fifth day on Monday, with NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar giving the state government a 48-hour ultimatum to act on the students' demands, mid-day reported.
Pawar demanded the immediate removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, citing allegations of paper leaks and a lack of transparency in the examination process. He warned that if the demands were not met, more than one lakh students could take to Pune's streets — either enforcing a Pune bandh or marching to the Mantralaya in Mumbai.
Gandhi's expected visit
Adding political weight to the agitation, Pawar said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was expected to meet the protesting candidates on October 7 or 8, when a large gathering of aspirants could take place. PTI reported on October 5 that Gandhi is likely to visit Pune as the protests by MPSC aspirants intensify.
On October 3, Gandhi had announced that the Maharashtra Competitive Examination Coordination Committee had registered its movement as a "satyagraha" on the Congress's new digital platform. He listed the aspirants' core demands: that the MPSC chairman resign and be replaced by an honest and qualified officer, and that more than 70,000 vacant government positions be filled immediately.
The students' grievances
The aspirants have laid out a long list of complaints. At the "Chhatron ki Goonj" event in Pune, students raised issues including paper leaks, stalled recruitment, expensive education, dilapidated hostels, toxic food served in canteens, and fraud in direct benefit transfer (DBT) disbursements. Gandhi has said the Youth Congress and the NSUI stand with the movement.
With a senior opposition leader expected in Pune within days and a bandh threat on the table, the agitation is shaping up as a significant test for the Maharashtra government. Whether the 48-hour deadline produces concrete action — or a fresh round of confrontation — will become clear in the coming days.
Sources:
MPSC Protest: Rohit Pawar Gives Maha Govt 48-Hour Ultimatum, Warns of Pune Bandh — mid-day
'MPSC Movement Is Now a Satyagraha', Says Rahul Gandhi After Launch of Portal — The New Indian Express
Pawar demanded the immediate removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, citing allegations of paper leaks and a lack of transparency in the examination process. He warned that if the demands were not met, more than one lakh students could take to Pune's streets — either enforcing a Pune bandh or marching to the Mantralaya in Mumbai.
Gandhi's expected visit
Adding political weight to the agitation, Pawar said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was expected to meet the protesting candidates on October 7 or 8, when a large gathering of aspirants could take place. PTI reported on October 5 that Gandhi is likely to visit Pune as the protests by MPSC aspirants intensify.
On October 3, Gandhi had announced that the Maharashtra Competitive Examination Coordination Committee had registered its movement as a "satyagraha" on the Congress's new digital platform. He listed the aspirants' core demands: that the MPSC chairman resign and be replaced by an honest and qualified officer, and that more than 70,000 vacant government positions be filled immediately.
The students' grievances
The aspirants have laid out a long list of complaints. At the "Chhatron ki Goonj" event in Pune, students raised issues including paper leaks, stalled recruitment, expensive education, dilapidated hostels, toxic food served in canteens, and fraud in direct benefit transfer (DBT) disbursements. Gandhi has said the Youth Congress and the NSUI stand with the movement.
With a senior opposition leader expected in Pune within days and a bandh threat on the table, the agitation is shaping up as a significant test for the Maharashtra government. Whether the 48-hour deadline produces concrete action — or a fresh round of confrontation — will become clear in the coming days.
Sources:
MPSC Protest: Rohit Pawar Gives Maha Govt 48-Hour Ultimatum, Warns of Pune Bandh — mid-day
'MPSC Movement Is Now a Satyagraha', Says Rahul Gandhi After Launch of Portal — The New Indian Express
