Pune: MPSC aspirants will hold a sit-in protest near Abasaheb Garware College from Sept 27, said NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Tuesday after visiting Pune police commissioner’s office.The police, however, have not yet granted formal permission for the protest.Pawar visited the commissioner’s office along with student representatives to seek permission for the agitation. He said the students had initially planned to protest from Sept 26 but agreed to defer it in order to avoid a stir during the Ganeshotsav.“On Sept 27 at 10am, we would protest off Karve Road near SM Joshi Bridge. We would definitely hold the agitation. However, before that, if govt wants, it could hold discussions with a 15-member delegation of students,” he said.The proposed protest comes amid continuing concerns among MPSC aspirants over examination-related issues, delays in recruitment and the functioning of the commission. Students had earlier staged a protest in Pune on Sept 7, raising several demands.Pawar said the resignation of MPSC chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar was one of the key demands raised by the students. The aspirants have also sought the appointment of officers, including Tukaram Mundhe and Sunil Gedam, to the top post in the commission.“The students were demanding the resignation of the MPSC chairperson. They wanted officers such as Tukaram Mundhe and Sunil Gedam to be appointed to the commission’s top posts,” Pawar said.The students have also been seeking action on issues related to examination procedures, recruitment timelines and grievances in the recent MPSC examinations.Pawar said the govt still has an opportunity to engage with the students before the proposed protest and resolve their concerns through discussions with their representatives.
