Published 09/06/2026 Published September 6, 2026 Congress' Rahul Gandhi says Maharashtra student protest reflects 'shattered' trust in systemIn recent days, several parts of Maharashtra also witnessed a protest by tribal students — including a hunger strike Image: ANI/IMAGOIndia's main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has voiced support for students protesting in Maharashtra against alleged irregularities in a state-level recruitment examination.
Why are the Maharashtra student demonstrations about?
On Saturday, the Maharashtra government also constituted a high-level committee to take full stock of the existing recruitment exam system in the country's second-most populous state.
Tribal students' protestIn recent days, several parts of Maharashtra also witnessed a protest by tribal students — including a hunger strike — over poor conditions in student hostels, student safety and recruitment to some 12,500 vacant posts reserved for tribal communities.
On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi railed against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which leads the government in Maharashtra.
Published 09/06/2026 Published September 6, 2026 Congress' Rahul Gandhi says Maharashtra student protest reflects 'shattered' trust in system
In recent days, several parts of Maharashtra also witnessed a protest by tribal students — including a hunger strike Image: ANI/IMAGO
India's main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has voiced support for students protesting in Maharashtra against alleged irregularities in a state-level recruitment examination.
"Thousands of students are on the streets, protesting peacefully — the reason isn't just one exam or recruitment, but a trust that's been shattered by the entire system," Gandhi said in a statement on X as he called on the government to listen to the protesters' demands and act.
"Otherwise, this echo of the students will only grow louder until justice is served," the senior Congress party leader said.
Why are the Maharashtra student demonstrations about?
Gandhi's remarks come as the Maharashtra government initiated a probe into an alleged paper leak of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission's (MPSC) Food and Drug Administration examination for Drug Inspector posts.
The offline exam was held on March 22, following which there were complaints that some candidates had allegedly received the question paper or questions beforehand.
Aspirants said that their complaints were not looked into. The recruitment process was completed and the MPSC published a merit list of 488 candidates.
However, the commission later canceled the recruitment process and in a statement cited a police inquiry which prima facie indicated that a candidate had got hold of the question paper before the exam and benefited from it.
On Saturday, the Maharashtra government also constituted a high-level committee to take full stock of the existing recruitment exam system in the country's second-most populous state.
The committee is tasked with suggesting measures to make the screening process more transparent, secure, reliable and candidate-friendly.
Tribal students' protest
In recent days, several parts of Maharashtra also witnessed a protest by tribal students — including a hunger strike — over poor conditions in student hostels, student safety and recruitment to some 12,500 vacant posts reserved for tribal communities.
The protesters' demands were accepted by the Maharashtra government, leading to the hunger strike being withdrawn.
On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi railed against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which leads the government in Maharashtra.
"Whether it's the central or state government, every student is tormented by the BJP regime," he alleged.
"Paper leaks, stalled recruitments, the unbearable cost of education, inhumane conditions in hostels, food like poison ...and now, they've seized control of a constitutional body like MPSC and destroyed its credibility," Gandhi, who is the leader of opposition in the lower house of the Indian parliament, said.
Education minister concedes to 'Cockroach' demands, resigns To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The protests in Maharashtra come after a massive Gen Z-led protest demanding an overhaul of India's examination system, rocked the country in July. The demonstrations marked one of the biggest public challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-term rule and culminated with the resignation of the then education minister.
