Students’ agitation continues in Pune regarding the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination and recruitment process. Now the matter has reached the Bombay High Court. During the hearing, the court understood the displeasure of the students and advised them to focus on their future and studies instead of agitation. However, the court sought a response from the Maharashtra government on the 70 thousand vacancies and the recruitment process. The government will have to present the recruitment roadmap within three weeks. Also, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the commission will investigate.

Advice to students to focus on studies

Students preparing for MPSC in Pune are protesting demanding transparency in the examination and recruitment process. The students say that there should be no scope for malpractice in the examination and the selection should be done in a completely fair manner. During the hearing, the Bombay High Court considered Pune as one of the major educational centers of the country. Here a large number of students prepare to improve their future. In such a situation, their studies should not be affected due to movement. The court appealed to the students to resume their studies and focus on their careers.

‘Students are not anti-social’

The court also spoke of understanding the demands of the students and their displeasure. The court clarified that students who voice their problems are not anti-social. If students have doubts about the fairness of the examination or suspect irregularities in the recruitment process, their complaints should be investigated. The court has also sought a response from the government on the process of filling up about 70 thousand vacancies. The government will have to explain how these posts will be recruited, how candidates will get equal opportunities and what steps will be taken to ensure transparency in the selection process. The court has given three weeks time for this.

Court’s Commentary on Demonstration and Police Action

During the hearing, the court also called for restraint in police action. According to the court, the FIR filed against the students may affect their future and career. The court appreciated the restrained attitude of the police and said that the protesting students should take permission and protest at the designated place. Different attitudes of the agitating groups also came to the fore in the hearing. One group talked about withdrawing the agitation, while the other group talked about continuing the protest at the venue fixed by the court. In such a situation the agitation is not completely over.

The government is ready to probe the MPSC commission

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that removal of the MPSC chairman is not within the direct jurisdiction of the state government. He said that the Chairman of the Commission can be removed only in accordance with the procedure laid down under Article 317 of the Constitution. According to CM Fadnavis, to restore faith in the minds of students, the state government is ready to investigate the entire commission, including the current and former presidents. He said that further action would be taken under the relevant constitutional procedure if the investigation reveals any malpractice. The government has also requested the governor in this regard. The Chief Minister also talked about forming a committee or a judicial commission for the investigation.

Now watch the government’s reaction

After the Bombay High Court hearing, all eyes are now on the next step of the Maharashtra government. Within three weeks, the government will have to present a roadmap for recruitment to the vacant posts in the court. Apart from this, the situation is also expected to be clarified regarding the students’ grievances and questions related to the fairness of the examination. The main demand of the students is that the recruitment process should be transparent and they should get fair opportunities based on hard work.