MPSC aspirants’ protest at SM Joshi Bridge entered its ninth day on Friday
Standing committee member and Kasba ward corporator from BJP Vishal Dhanwade confirmed to TOI , “A proposal regarding a special space was put forth before the standing committee.
The proposal has been mooted amid the ongoing agitation by MPSC aspirants on SM Joshi Bridge, which ruling party corporators have said is causing major traffic congestion. Authorities must make sure that other citizens are not affected by protesters,” said Ashwini Pathak, a resident of Satara Road. They also said the stir was being conducted at the spot without permission and had disrupted traffic for more than a week. Police said their eviction order is backed by concerns of a potential law-and-order situation.
The proposal, now being discussed in Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) standing committee, aims to provide a dedicated ground in Pune on the lines of Azad Maidan in Mumbai, where demonstrations can be held. The civic administration will give its opinion after a review. “If agitations are carried out during peak traffic hours, it leads to more problems.
Police officers said they have directed MPSC aspirants to immediately vacate the SM Joshi Bridge area and denied permission to continue the sit-in at the location, as their protest entered its ninth day on Friday.
Civic spaces are public places and should be allowed to be used for protests,” said Vishal Tambe, city unit chief of NCP (SP). However, opposition netas and other citizens maintained that they should be allowed to exercise their right to peacefully assemble as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. “Any decision to curb these rights will not be permitted. Authorities should ensure that permissions are granted to hold agitations.