1 hr ago
MPSC Protest Continues Despite Police Denial of Permission
Students and supporters in Pune are protesting to ask for changes to the Maharashtra Public Service Commission exams.
They are also demanding the commission chairman’s resignation.
Many people gathered at the S M Joshi bridge, and six protesters had gone without food for five days.
Police said the gathering did not have permission and told protesters to leave the bridge.
They said a court had called for roads and bridges to remain clear.
Police offered to consider a protest at another location near the district collector’s office, but said they had not received an application for it.
Protesters objected to the police response and continued their gathering.
Another exam-related protest on Lal Bahadur Shastri Road also continued.
Hundreds continued gathering at Pune’s S M Joshi bridge despite police denying permission for the protest.
Six protesters had been on hunger strike for five days, while speakers addressed the crowd.
Police cited public safety, disruption concerns and a Bombay High Court order in directing protesters to leave the bridge.
Police said they would consider applications to protest near the Dr B R Ambedkar statue, but had received no such application.
A separate protest on Lal Bahadur Shastri Road continued, while the protest at Alka Talkies was called off.
- Who
- MPSC exam aspirants and protesters, including Rohit Pawar; Pune city police.
- What
- Protesters continued an unauthorised demonstration demanding MPSC reforms and the chairman’s resignation, despite police denying permission.
- Where
- S M Joshi bridge near Patrakar Bhavan in Navi Peth, Pune; another protest continued on Lal Bahadur Shastri Road.
- When
- The protest had continued since October 1; six people had been on hunger strike for five days. The article also refers to a police notice issued on Wednesday and protests continuing on Thursday.
- Why
- Protesters sought reforms to the Maharashtra Public Service Commission and changes including an objective exam pattern; they also demanded the chairman’s resignation.
Protesters
Police
Whether the bridge protest should continue
Protesters
Protesters continued demonstrating and said they had sought police permission; Rohit Pawar objected when vehicles were allowed onto the bridge as the evening crowd gathered.
Police
Police said the gathering was unauthorised, denied permission at the bridge and directed protesters to leave.
Public access and safety
Protesters
Rohit Pawar challenged the police response and argued that allowing vehicles through while protesters were present was objectionable.
Police
Police cited concerns about public inconvenience and insecurity, and referred to the High Court’s direction to prevent protest blockades from affecting roads.
Alternative protest location
Protesters
Protesters were seeking permission for the bridge site; the article does not report that they had applied for the proposed alternative location.
Police
Police said they would consider applications to protest near the Dr B R Ambedkar statue, but had not received an application for that site.
Key facts
- Main protest site
- S M Joshi bridge near Patrakar Bhavan, Navi Peth, Pune
- Police decision
- Permission for the bridge protest was denied; protesters were directed to vacate the area.
- Hunger strike
- Six protesters had been on hunger strike for five days.
- Alternative location
- Police said they would consider applications for a protest near the Dr B R Ambedkar statue by the Pune District Collectorate.
- Court reference
- Police cited Bombay High Court directions against blockades affecting the free flow of roads.
- Other protests
- The Alka Talkies protest was called off; the protest on Lal Bahadur Shastri Road continued.
Quotes
Prashant Amrutkar
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch).
“Police thought that by making announcements, bringing force, putting notices on canteens, mess, these proud students will get afraid. What dreams are you watching? While injustice is happening to them will they suffer through it?”
indianexpress.com
“If you want to record videos, photos of vehicles jammed and show it in court. We have asked for permission from the police, they are not giving us permission.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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