MPSC aspirants end 10-day protest in Pune after government inquiry announcement

Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants ended their 10-day protest in Pune on Sunday night after the state government announced the formation of a committee to investigate alleged recruitment irregularities, including paper leaks. The breakthrough followed a meeting between a government delegation, led by minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale, and the agitating students. The committee, which includes senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, former judge Dilip Bhosale, IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, former IAS officer Ganesh Patil, and retired judge P.D. Naik, has been tasked with probing the concerns raised by the aspirants.A primary demand of the protesters was the removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. Following the government’s intervention, Bhimanwar announced on X that he would proceed on leave until the inquiry is completed. He stated that his decision was intended to uphold ethics during the judicial probe. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who had supported the demonstrators throughout their campaign at Pune's S.M. Joshi Bridge, welcomed the inclusion of Tukaram Mundhe in the panel and expressed hope that the committee would be granted the independence required to conduct a thorough investigation.Beyond the inquiry, the government delegation addressed several other demands put forward by the student representatives. These include the proposed recruitment of 70,000 posts over the next three years, an increase in the number of seats for the Group C examination scheduled for January, and a commitment to conduct background checks for future commission appointments. The government also discussed the withdrawal of cases previously filed against protest representatives. Earlier in the week, Pune Police had booked 15 individuals for conducting the protest without permission and obstructing traffic, as well as five others for operating a drone at the site. With the government’s assurances provided, the representatives confirmed the agitation has been called off for the time being.