Rahul Gandhi's busy week: Teacher jobs, MPSC protests and meeting aspirants

The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) protest in Pune is gaining political support, with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi likely to meet the protesting aspirants on October 7 or 8.The protest, which has entered its fifth day, is centred on demands for reforms in the commission, greater transparency in examinations and the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar amid allegations of paper leaks.Rahul Gandhi had extended support to the agitation and said he would raise the protesters’ demands before the Maharashtra government. He said the demands were not unjust and called for action rather than assurances.He has also been leading protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. On October 6, he led INDIA bloc MPs in a march towards the Election Commission office and demanded Kumar’s resignation; the march was stopped by security personnel. RAHUL GANDHI’S OCTOBER 7-8 PUNE PLANNCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said Rahul Gandhi is likely to come to Pune on October 7 or 8 to meet the students and aspirants.Pawar said Congress youth leaders were also participating in the agitation and were in contact with Gandhi’s team in Delhi. He added that the protesters would discuss their next course of action, which could include a road blockade or a march to Mumbai. The demonstrations are taking place at three locations in Pune, with aspirants raising different concerns, including the format of MPSC examinations. The main demand, however, remains the removal of chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.WHAT ARE MPSC ASPIRANTS DEMANDING?The protesters have raised concerns over the functioning of the commission, alleged paper leaks, examination transparency and recruitment.They have also demanded that more than 70,000 vacant posts be filled and sought changes in the examination system. Rahul Gandhi has backed the demand for greater transparency and permanent reforms in the commission.The agitation has also received support from leaders across political parties. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to hold talks with the protesting students, while Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has also visited the protest site.MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT MOVES ON MPSC ROWThe Maharashtra government has already taken some steps amid the protests. It terminated the deputation of MPSC secretary Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar.The government has also proposed a judicial enquiry into the functioning of former and incumbent MPSC chairpersons and members. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has recommended a committee headed by a retired High Court judge, with the enquiry proposed to be completed within three months.The move follows a meeting between MPSC students and the chief minister, after which the government announced the proposed enquiry under Article 317 of the Constitution. Further action is expected to be based on the findings of the enquiry.RAHUL GANDHI ALSO RAISES MP TEACHER RECRUITMENTRahul Gandhi has also taken up the concerns of teacher aspirants in Madhya Pradesh.In a September 29 letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Gandhi sought an increase in the number of Class-2 and Class-3 teacher recruitment posts. He said more than one lakh teaching positions were vacant in government schools in the state.The 2025 recruitment drive has announced 13,089 Class-3 posts and 10,800 Class-2 posts, Gandhi said. He added that many aspirants had scored well in examinations, while some were working as guest faculty but remained without permanent jobs because of the limited number of vacancies.Gandhi also asked the Madhya Pradesh government to withdraw notices issued to protesting teacher aspirants and meet their representatives. He sought an increase in Class-2 and Class-3 posts and the early start of the second phase of counselling.- Ends