MPSC Protest in Pune Gains Support from Political Leaders
Rohit Pawar and Manoj Jarange Patil join MPSC aspirants in Pune, urging the Maharashtra government to address exam irregularities and paper leak allegations.
The ongoing agitation by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants in Pune has gained significant political momentum as prominent leaders and activists joined forces to demand government action. On Monday, NCP (SP) leaders Rohit Pawar and Jitendra Awhad, along with Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil, expressed solidarity with the students, urging the state government to address allegations of examination irregularities and ensure the recruitment process is not derailed.
"Don't Kill the Dream": Leaders Pressure Government
NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad issued a stern warning to the state administration, emphasizing the emotional and professional stakes for the candidates. He highlighted the gravity of the alleged paper leak, noting that if such malpractice occurred, it would constitute a massive injustice to the youth.
“There is a dream in their eyes. Please don't kill the dream,” Awhad stated, urging the government not to dismiss the protests as mere political maneuvering. He further insisted that accountability must be absolute, suggesting that the MPSC Chairman must take responsibility if any leakage is proven to have occurred during his tenure.
Rohit Pawar also weighed in, stressing that the government must not halt the ongoing processes prematurely. He cautioned that stopping the recruitment cycle mid-way could lead to severe political consequences. “Right now, the focus is solely on the MPSC; I urge the government not to halt this process until it reaches its full scope,” Pawar said.
Jarange Patil Questions the Need for Street Protests
Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil met with the protesting aspirants to offer his support, questioning why students who have dedicated years to their education are forced to take to the streets. He expressed deep concern over the systemic failures that lead to such unrest.
“If students have to study for 10 years and then take to the streets to protest, what does that say? What has been the point of all those years of education?” Jarange Patil remarked. He called upon the government to treat the students as their own children and work swiftly to restore their trust in the examination system.
Background of the MPSC Controversy
The agitation stems from allegations of malpractice and irregularities surrounding the MPSC screening examination. The controversy involves several stages of the recruitment process:
- The Screening Exam: Conducted offline on March 22 across six divisional headquarters in Maharashtra.
- Results: Declared on June 12, with 506 candidates initially found eligible.
- Interviews: Conducted between July 1 and July 22 for 488 candidates.
- Current Status: The MPSC has initiated a preliminary inquiry following complaints regarding malpractice in the March examination.
Earlier, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had also advised the state government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the students to resolve the growing unrest spreading across Pune, Mumbai, and other parts of the state. As the protest continues, the pressure mounts on the Maharashtra government to provide transparency and ensure the integrity of the public service recruitment process.