MPSC students continued their protest in Pune for a seventh day on October 9 over alleged paper leaks, examination irregularities and demands for a more transparent recruitment examination system. The demonstration at the S M Joshi Bridge area drew students throughout the day as they waited for developments on talks with the government and responded to police directions concerning the protest site.
The protest has also raised concerns about the health of participants observing a hunger strike. Two students, Rishikesh Gangurde and Gajanan Shelke, were admitted to hospital after their blood sugar levels fell during the fourth day of the agitation. According to the report, both students returned to the protest site after receiving treatment and recovering.
Gangurde, Shelke, Shivraj More, Omkar Patil, Priyanka Chaudhary, Somnath, Nitin Gite and Sheetal are among those reported to be observing a hunger strike. Their demands include action over the alleged paper leak and other irregularities in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission examination process, along with measures to ensure transparency in future examinations.
The protest also became a point of contention over access to the public space where the students had gathered. Police reportedly issued announcements indicating that the site should be cleared. The protesters objected, saying they had initially been granted permission to hold the demonstration there and questioning why they were now being asked to leave.
Rohit Pawar, who was present at the protest, opposed any attempt to remove the demonstrators by force. He said the students would not leave until their demands were addressed and warned that they would stage a sit-in at Lokmanya Tilak Chowk if authorities tried to forcibly disperse them. These remarks were made in the context of the disagreement between the protesters and police over the use of the current site.
The protest site also hosted a floral tribute to actor Nana Patekar, with a tribute display placed alongside his photograph. Pawar recalled Nana Patekar and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar during the programme. Later in the night, speeches at the protest site were stopped.
The continuing agitation places the administration under pressure to address both the students’ allegations concerning examination integrity and the immediate arrangements for a protest that has extended over a week. The report did not provide details of a government decision on the students’ demands or announce a further schedule for formal talks.
