Students are not anti-socials, can protest genuine concerns at designated spot, not by blocking roads: Bombay HC

MUMBAI: “They are students, not anti-socials’’ the Bombay high court observed orally while hearing a plea against the weeklong ongoing protests by thousands in Pune against alleged malpractices in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examinations.The HC said students have a right to protest if there are genuine causes, .The HC bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna said Pune is an educational hub and students “are not keen to come on roads to agitate. If they are , it would mean the grievances are serious.’’The HC said students work hard to appear for public service examinations and if they “find any hanky panky in the procedure, they have a right to protest.’’The HC also said there should be fairness in public recruitment examinations like the one held by the MPSC and students had a right to protests but they cannot block roads.While one group of students withdrew their stir, for other two the HC said they can apply for permission and change of venue which the State can then consider.The HC said students’ genuine demands be heard and sought a reply on steps taken from the State in three weeks. The reply should state department-wise vacancies. The bench saidThe State Advocate General Milind Sathe said on September 30 Maharashtra government had met and accepted 3 out of 4 main demands the students had.The first one asking for resignation of the MPSC chief Vivek Bhimanwa, the State cannot by law grant, but the State has already written to the Governor to look into the complaints made against him.A petition by Amit Supekar and another resident of Pune to seek a designated space for staging agitations and sought immediate stoppage and legal action against protestors for conducting three illegal simultaneous protests at SM Joshi Bridge, Alka Talkies Chowk and Ahilya Study Centre.The protests had begun after an MPSC examination conducted for the Drug Controller post and it was found that three days earlier, the paper had been leaked online.The students had felt that FIRs are not enough and heads must roll, hence they demanded resignation of the MPSC chief.The HC however asked students to withdraw any blocking of roads and said any prolonged stir could affect their own career paths.The CJ said Pune is known as an academic city. He said to the State, “if the students have a genuine demand, you must look into it.’’“See the plight of the parents who have sent their children to study in Pune. These children are innocent. All parents in the country are in crisis,...No message should go across the country that it is not a fit place for students, or the parents will also have their apprehension,’’ the bench said orally, expressing concern and said it would ensure the recruitment drive is taken care of and maintains fairness.The HC wants the State to inform of the steps it has taken and intends to to tackle the issue.The AG Sathe said the second demand of having 2 mega recruitment for 70000 posts also has been accepted as were two other demands of having Rs 100 as exam fees, like Rajasthan has and to make the examination offline.Pune is the State’s second largest city with a population of 70 lakh the advocate for the petitioner argued and said the protestors were blocking roads. Some protestors denied they were blocking roads.The students’ lawyer said police had given permission to hold protests on October 2 after the Ganesh festival at a particular location.The AG said after the meeting with the government, protestors had agreed to withdraw but continued and at present no permission exists for any protests and if they apply afresh for another location, such plea would be considered.“So far as affairs of MPSC are concerned, State has appointed a committee to look into it,’’ the AG said.For removal of the MPSC chief, the AG said law prescribes a process that includes an inquiry.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in MumbaiStay updated with the latest Mumbai news. Download the TOI App.