MPSC row: Government action against chairperson marks major win for Maharashtra student protests

The state government's decision to send Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar on leave pending a judicial inquiry into alleged examination irregularities represents a significant triumph for recent student-led demonstrations. Previously, the administration had attempted to soothe protesters through government resolutions, setting up inquiry panels, and introducing new policy initiatives.

Political analysts noted that the government was forced to act due to the national exposure the agitation received. The movement gained momentum through the involvement of hundreds of students, backing from NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, and other opposition figures. Additionally, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi repeatedly endorsed the cause through social media posts, while activists including CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and folk singer Neha Singh Rathore visited the protest venues.

State officials indicated that the administration was anxious to resolve the MPSC crisis to prevent it from compounding the ongoing widespread demonstrations over alleged electoral fraud.


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Officials highlighted that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis executed a strategic compromise by naming Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief Tukaram Mundhe as the secretary of the inquiry committee before directing Bhimanwar to step aside. "This was a masterstroke given the pressure being created by student protests. By getting Mundhe in the inquiry committee, Fadnavis scored on the perception front and made it clear that it would be a fair inquiry. So, when Bhimanwar went on leave instead of resigning, it looked like a middle ground had been reached," remarked a senior official.

The ongoing agitation served as a unifying cause for opposition politicians across party lines. An observer pointed out that the movement allowed Rohit Pawar to solidify his reputation as a capable leader dedicated to student welfare, while his coordination with Rahul Gandhi encouraged numerous Congress leaders to join the demonstrations.

This marks only the second instance of an MPSC chairperson facing administrative action in 24 years. In 2002, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested then-chairperson Shashikant Karnik regarding an alleged recruitment scam, leading to his resignation; although a disproportionate assets case was filed against him in 2005, he was discharged by a court in 2009. A former MPSC member noted that the body had maintained a clean record from that period until the present controversy emerged.