MPSC staff strike after secretary heckled, demand security guarantee

Officers and staff of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) have gone on a work stoppage after an incident on September 11, 2026, in which MPSC secretary Mahendra Harpalkar was heckled. They have said the strike will continue until the government gives a concrete, clear and effective guarantee of security for the commission's officers and staff.

MPSC is a constitutional body, and the secretary is its administrative head. Calling the heckling of the administrative head an extremely serious matter, the officers and staff have demanded strict legal action against those involved. Their statement said the officers and staff were spoken to in threatening language, creating an atmosphere of fear.

The officers and staff have acknowledged that a paper leak and other malpractice in one of the commission's examinations caused anger, unease and distrust among candidates. They said they respect candidates' expectations that the examination process be transparent and their future be secure, and demanded strict action under the law against those guilty in that case.

However, they said the entire body of officers and staff at the commission cannot be held responsible for the mistake of one individual. The statement said it would be unjust to declare anyone guilty or make personal allegations before an inquiry is complete, stressing that only the judicial process has the authority to decide who is guilty and who is innocent.

They said raising one's voice for legitimate demands and holding the administration accountable is a democratic right of candidates, and that the officers and staff have no objection to peaceful protest. But they said it is wrong to obstruct or heckle officers and staff, create terror, or endanger their safety in the name of protest. The statement said the commission's officers and staff are public servants performing their duty and have a right to work fearlessly and without pressure, and that feeling afraid for their safety while coming to office or at work is a serious matter.

They alleged that false, misleading or defamatory reports were being spread on social media and news channels naming officers and staff of the commission and claiming their relatives or friends were on the selection list. They demanded that defamation suits or other legal action be taken over such reports naming individuals without evidence.

They clarified that the strike is not against candidates but is aimed both at strict action against those responsible for malpractice and at protecting innocent officers and staff, and demanded measures to prevent such incidents in future. The statement noted that these officers and staff entered government service through the same transparent process candidates go through, that most come from rural, farming and financially ordinary families, and that they are well aware of the struggle involved in competitive examinations.

They said they are distressed that one incident has led to distrust of all officers and staff, and warned that such incidents could demoralise them and affect the recruitment process, ultimately harming candidates themselves. Demanding urgent action on their demands and assured security, all officers and staff of the commission have expressed strong condemnation of the incident.