Special Correspondent
Pune: A sudden protest erupted on Shastri Road in Pune today as Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants took to the streets demanding transparency and fairness in the recruitment process. The unexpected sit-in protest disrupted traffic in the area and prompted a swift response from the police, who detained several students.
The protest was sparked by widespread discontent over the results of the MPSC State Services Preliminary Examination. Students claim that despite scoring above the cutoff marks, they were not listed in the merit list. The aspirants are demanding that the examination be postponed and the number of vacancies for Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) posts be increased.
Originally, the state government had sanctioned 441 PSI posts, but due to the upcoming elections, the exam was postponed and the requisition was returned by the commission. Later, in October 2024, a notification was released for only 216 PSI posts. Students are questioning why the remaining 225 posts were scrapped and are demanding their reinstatement.
“We are not affiliated with any political party. We are simply students preparing for competitive exams. It’s unfortunate that due to the commission’s inefficiency, we are forced to protest in the streets,” said one of the protestors. They further demanded that the recruitment process be made transparent and that competent officers be appointed to the commission to ensure smooth functioning.
While the police are trying to negotiate with the protesting students, the latter remain adamant about continuing their protest until their demands are addressed.
Reacting to the incident, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar said,
“When students have been raising valid concerns for days and neither the government nor the commission is responding, what option do they have other than protest? Is peaceful protest now considered a crime by the Mahayuti government? The arrest of students peacefully demonstrating in Pune raises serious questions about the administration’s approach.”
He added, “We will not tolerate a system where those responsible for mistakes go scot-free, and those who point them out are punished. The government must take immediate action on the objections raised by MPSC aspirants and ensure the release of all detained students.”
