Overview
- The protest in Pune entered its fifth day on Monday, Oct 5, with aspirants accusing the Maharashtra Public Service Commission of repeated paper leaks and seeking the immediate resignation of chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.
- NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar gave the state government a 48-hour deadline on Oct 5 and warned of a citywide Pune bandh or a mass march to Mantralaya if the chairman is not removed.
- The Maharashtra government has already terminated the deputation of MPSC secretary Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar and announced a judicial inquiry under Article 317 on Sept 30, but officials say further action will depend on the probe's findings.
- The controversy has widened to Mumbai after Maharashtra Congress leaders said tribal students travelling to protest were detained and police entered Tilak Bhavan, a claim Mumbai Police denied while saying people planning a march to Lok Bhavan were being detained.
- The movement is fragmented over exam format and other demands, has drawn leaders across parties to the protest site, and could force swift administrative steps or large-scale disruption in Pune that would sharpen political pressure on the state government.