Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Raj Thackeray Backs Pune MPSC Aspirants, Warns Against Divisive Politics
Students who want to take government job exams are protesting in Pune.
They have several requests, including changes to the exam format.
Their main demand is that the head of the exam commission resign over allegations of leaked exam papers.
Raj Thackeray visited and said he supported the students’ anger.
He told them not to let arguments about religion or caste distract them from their concerns.
He also said that hiring 70,000 government workers was unlikely.
The Maharashtra government has said it will hold an inquiry into the exam commission’s leadership.
Thackeray urged the students to keep protesting and judge politicians by their actions.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray voiced support for MPSC aspirants protesting in Pune and said he shared their anger.
Protesters have varied demands, including a change to the MPSC exam format; their main demand is the chairman’s resignation amid paper-leak allegations.
Thackeray urged students not to be distracted by caste and religious issues, which he said divert attention from core concerns.
He said the demand to recruit 70,000 government workers was unlikely to be met and raised concerns about privatisation and limited reservation in private-sector jobs.
The Maharashtra government said on September 30 that it would conduct a judicial inquiry within three months into former and current MPSC leadership.
- Who
- MPSC aspirants and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray.
- What
- Thackeray backed the students’ agitation and urged them to focus on exam, jobs and recruitment concerns.
- When
- Monday, October 5; the report does not specify the year.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Students are protesting over several demands, chiefly the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar amid allegations of paper leaks.
- Protest location
- Demonstrations are being held at three locations in Pune.
- Main protest demand
- Resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar amid paper-leak allegations.
- Other demand
- Students have called for an objective or descriptive format for MPSC examinations.
- Recruitment demand
- Aspirants are seeking recruitment to 70,000 government posts.
- Government action
- The government said on September 30 that a judicial inquiry would be conducted within three months.
- Inquiry scope
- The inquiry is to examine the functioning of former and incumbent MPSC chairpersons and members under Article 317 of the Constitution.
- MPSC personnel action
- The government terminated Mahendra Uttamrao Harpalkar’s deputation as MPSC secretary amid paper-leak allegations.