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By:

Rajendra Pandharpure

15 April 2025 at 7:55:54 pm

From Exam Ire to Political Tussle

The agitation by MPSC aspirants against examination irregularities has drawn Pune’s rival political camps into the fray. Pune: The student agitation demanding an inquiry into alleged irregularities in Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examinations has increasingly acquired a political dimension. A campaign for accountability and end to examination-related malpractices has now snowballed into a political contest with competing narratives. The turning point came when the city’s BJP...

From Exam Ire to Political Tussle

The agitation by MPSC aspirants against examination irregularities has drawn Pune’s rival political camps into the fray. Pune: The student agitation demanding an inquiry into alleged irregularities in Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examinations has increasingly acquired a political dimension. A campaign for accountability and end to examination-related malpractices has now snowballed into a political contest with competing narratives. The turning point came when the city’s BJP leaders took to the streets to counter the agitation, while NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar assumed a prominent role in leading the students. His intervention brought the protest greater political visibility, but also invited allegations that an issue rooted in students’ grievances was being turned into a political confrontation. The students, however, have appeared unwilling to accept the suggestion that the agitation had been appropriated by politicians. Many stood by Rohit Pawar, with some arguing that his presence had helped protect them from police harassment. Their response underscored a central tension in student movements: political support can amplify a cause, but it can also shift attention from the demands that brought protesters to the streets in the first place. Public Discontent The Pune agitation comes amid a series of protests across Maharashtra and elsewhere, reflecting a broader willingness among sections of the public to take grievances directly to the streets. These include tribal students’ demands for better hostel facilities, agitations by the Maratha community, a campaign in Mumbai seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and a movement against noise pollution in Pune. The political context has also been shaped by student-led mobilisations elsewhere, most notably the protest launched by Abhijit Dipke and his Cockroach Janata Party against the NEET exam leak that ultimately led to the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In Maharashtra, Dipke’s presence at the Pune protest added another layer to the unfolding political contest. Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, MP Praniti Shinde, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Aaditya Thackeray, Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil and Sujat Ambedkar were among those who visited the protest site. The gathering of leaders from different political formations highlighted the breadth of support for the students’ cause, while demonstrating how quickly an agitation over an administrative issue becomes a platform for parties seeking to challenge the government on questions of employment and public accountability. Citywide Shutdown Rohit Pawar’s warning that he would call for a Pune bandh marked a significant escalation in the rhetoric surrounding the protest. The BJP and the Sangh Parivar reacted sharply, accusing him of attempting to create unrest in the city. Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure convened a meeting to criticise the proposed shutdown, bringing the dispute further into the political arena. MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s intervention has added a different perspective. He observed that no government could provide jobs to all candidates preparing for MPSC examinations. The BJP seized on the remark, presenting it as an implicit rebuttal of Rohit Pawar’s approach. Reports of apparent differences between the two leaders’ positions and observations about their body language following Thackeray’s speech has in turn fuelled speculation about a rift within the broader political support surrounding the protest. That said, the larger issue remains distinct from the political exchanges. The limited availability of government jobs is one challenge; ensuring fair, transparent and credible recruitment processes is another. Even if the state cannot provide employment to every aspirant, students can reasonably expect examinations to be conducted without irregularities and complaints to be addressed through credible mechanisms. The agitation has also encountered a legal challenge, with a petition filed in the High Court over roads being blocked by the protest. The court reprimanded the state government, observing that it was not taking the students’ demands seriously, and suggested that the protesters call off their agitation and concentrate on their studies. The students, however, are continuing with their protest, while insisting on concrete action from the government.

Gun Violence in America

Writer: Vishwas Pethe
Vishwas Pethe
Dec 27, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jan 2, 2025

Gun Violence in America

On December 16, 2024, tragedy struck Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, where a 15-year-old student, Natalie Rupnow, fatally shot a fellow student and a teacher before taking her own life. Six others were injured, with two in critical condition. This devastating event is a grim reminder of the United States' ongoing struggle with gun violence, particularly in schools.


A Long History of Gun Ownership in America

The issue of gun violence in the United States cannot be discussed without acknowledging its deep-rooted history of gun ownership. The right to bear arms is enshrined in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1791, which states: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”


Initially, this amendment was intended to empower citizens to form militias for self-defense during a time when standing armies were distrusted. Over the centuries, however, the interpretation of the Second Amendment has evolved. Today, it is often cited as a justification for individual gun ownership, a concept reinforced by landmark court cases such as District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), which affirmed an individual's right to own firearms for self-defense.


Gun culture is deeply ingrained in American society, with nearly 400 million firearms in civilian hands—more guns than people. This level of accessibility, coupled with a powerful gun lobby led by organizations like the National Rifle Association (NRA), has made significant legislative reform difficult.


Gun Violence in Numbers

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), firearms cause approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the United States—equivalent to 109 deaths per day. This figure includes homicides, suicides, and accidental shootings. Among children and teenagers, firearms are now the leading cause of death, surpassing motor vehicle accidents.


School shootings are a particularly horrifying aspect of gun violence in America. Since 1990, there have been over 800 incidents in K-12 schools, resulting in more than 500 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. High-profile tragedies such as the Columbine High School massacre (1999), the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting (2012), and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School attack (2018) have shocked the nation and the world, yet meaningful reforms remain elusive.


A Global Comparison

The United States stands out among developed nations for its high rate of gun violence. In countries like Australia, Canada, and much of Europe, strict gun control measures have significantly reduced firearm-related deaths. For example: By contrast, the firearm-related death rate in the United States is 12.2 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than other developed nations. The prevalence of guns and the lack of uniform gun control laws contribute to this disparity.


Challenges in Addressing Gun Violence

Efforts to reduce gun violence in the U.S. have faced significant obstacles. One of the most notable is the prohibition of federal funding for gun violence research. In 1996, Congress passed the Dickey Amendment, effectively barring the CDC from studying gun violence as a public health issue. Although the funding ban was partially lifted in 2019, its legacy has left the country with a limited understanding of the causes and solutions to gun violence.


Advocates have long called for measures such as:

• Universal Background Checks: Closing loopholes in gun sales to ensure that all firearm purchases are subject to background checks.

• Safe Storage Laws: Requiring gun owners to store firearms securely to prevent unauthorized access.

• Bans on Certain Firearms: Prohibiting the sale of assault-style weapons, which are often used in mass shootings.


The Debate Over Gun Rights and Reform

The debate over gun control in the United States often pits the rights of gun owners against the need for public safety. Opponents of stricter gun laws argue that restrictions infringe on constitutional rights and fail to address the root causes of violence, such as mental health issues. Proponents, however, point to the success of gun control measures in other countries and the overwhelming public support for policies like background checks.


A Way Forward

Despite the challenges, there is growing momentum for change. Grassroots organizations, survivors of gun violence, and some lawmakers are advocating for comprehensive reforms. The Madison school shooting serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of these efforts. As the nation grapples with its gun violence epidemic, it must look to both its history and the experiences of other countries to find a path toward a safer future.


(The author is a resident of US. Views personal.)

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