Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Aaditya Thackeray Backs MPSC Protest, Urges Hunger Strikers to Stop
Students in Pune are protesting the way the state public service commission is run.
Their main demand is for chairman Vivek Bhimanwar to resign.
The protest had lasted six days by Tuesday, October 6.
Some students were refusing food as part of the protest.
Aaditya Thackeray supported the students but asked them to stop fasting because it could harm their health.
He said they could keep campaigning and should stay united.
He also questioned why students took an exam in March if its paper had allegedly leaked in January.
Thackeray accused the government of protecting people responsible for problems, but the articles do not include a government response.
He said the protesters could go to the commission’s office in Mumbai if their demand was not met.
Aaditya Thackeray backed Pune students demanding the resignation of Maharashtra Public Service Commission chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.
The protest had entered its sixth day on Tuesday, October 6, and was led by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar.
Thackeray urged students on hunger strike to end their fast for health reasons, while continuing their campaign and staying united.
He questioned why students took an exam in March after its paper was allegedly leaked in January, and called for accountability over the commission’s functioning.
Thackeray alleged the government was shielding those responsible for irregularities and said protesters could take their agitation to the MPSC office in Mumbai.
- Who
- MPSC student protesters, supported by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray; the agitation was led by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar.
- What
- The students are seeking accountability and chiefly demanding MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar’s resignation; Thackeray backed them and urged hunger strikers to end their fast.
- When
- The protest was in its sixth day on Tuesday, October 6.
- Where
- Near S M Joshi Bridge in Pune, with a possible further protest at the MPSC office in Mumbai.
- Why
- The students are protesting alleged irregularities in the commission’s functioning and examination-related controversies.
- Main demand
- Resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar
- Protest location
- Near S M Joshi Bridge, Pune
- Protest duration
- Six days as of Tuesday, October 6
- Protest leader
- NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar
- Thackeray’s appeal
- End the hunger strike for health reasons, but continue the campaign and maintain unity
- Exam timeline cited by Thackeray
- He said the paper was leaked in January and students took the exam in March
- Possible next location
- Gates of the MPSC office in Mumbai if Bhimanwar does not resign
