Police Issue Notices to MPSC Protesters and Coaching Classes; Commissioner Deems Protest Illegal
Maharashtra police have issued over 70 notices to MPSC protesters, coaching classes, and Telegram channels in connection with an ongoing agitation in Pune, with Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar characterizing the protest as illegal. The notices were issued two to three days prior to the commissioner's statement to The Indian Express.
The protest, now in its sixth day, centers on demands for the resignation of MPSC chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar following a leak of the Drug Inspector examination held in March. Kumar stated that the protest lacks permission and is causing inconvenience to general commuters, with leaders delivering provocative speeches that incite students. "The protest is illegal, there is no permission to do it," Kumar said, urging protesters to withdraw. However, he noted that police have not imposed a specific time period for withdrawal and are "exercising extreme tact and patience so as to not let a conflict situation happen." Leaders including protest organizer Rohit Pawar were not issued notices, the commissioner added. No FIRs have been filed aside from one by a journalist allegedly attacked at the protest.
On Tuesday, as the agitation continued with large gatherings at SM Joshi bridge, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh joined the demonstrators. Singh alleged that multiple examination papers across various recruitment processes have been leaked, linking the issue to broader systemic concerns.
