The aspirants aiming to qualify the exams conducted by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) took to the streets of the state’s Pune city on Monday, protesting against alleged irregularities and paper leaks in competitive exams and demanding greater transparency in the recruitment process. 

The agitation was led by the ‘MPSC Vidyarthi Aakrosh Morcha,’ which kicked off from near the Omkareshwar Temple and advanced towards the Pune district collectorate. Scores of students and job aspirants participated in the march, holding placards and flags while voicing concerns over alleged lapses in several exams conducted by the MPSC. 

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke too shared a video on his official ‘X’ handle, in which the students were seen congregating in thick numbers in Pune to raise concerns over alleged corruption and irregularities in the examination system.

As per a report by news agency PTI, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule too joined the protest and extended her support to the agitators. She said, “I have come here solely to support the children.”

Students call for MPSC Chairman’s removal

One of the key demands put forth by the protestors is the resignation or removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, amid allegations pertaining to the conduct and security of competitive examinations.

The agitation has also cast the spotlight upon the alleged leak of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Inspector examination paper, besides alleged irregularities in the Group B, State Services and Excise Inspector examinations. 

The FDA Inspector examination fell under scrutiny after allegations of a question paper leak emerged. Police carried out a probe into the case, which culminated in several arrests, while the exam was cancelled after the alleged leak was confirmed, as per reports. 

The demonstrators have demanded a fair and time-bound investigation into the allegations. Moreover, they have also called for stronger safeguards to ensure greater security and transparency throughout the recruitment process. 

Opposition leaders extend support

The agitation underway in Pune has received backing from the leaders of the Opposition in Maharashtra, such as NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who had announced the march earlier and supported the demand for the MPSC Chairman’s removal. 

Meanwhile, Supriya Sule urged the Maharashtra government to engage directly with the demonstrators and launch efforts to resolve their grievances. She also questioned why technology and modern security systems could not be utilised more effectively to plug question paper leaks. 

The protest comes days after the Maharashtra government constituted a committee to review the recruitment exam system and recommend measures aimed at making it more reliable and transparent.