Aaditya Thackeray to join Pune MPSC protest, backs demand for chairperson’s exit
You don’t have any Active Subscription.
Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. File | Photo Credit: ANI
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray will join protesting MPSC aspirants in Pune on Tuesday (October 6, 2026), stepping up the Opposition’s support for students demanding the removal of commission chairman Vivek Bhimanwar and changes in the recruitment body’s functioning.
Mr. Thackeray announced his visit in a post on X on Monday (October 5), saying he had spoken to Vivekanand Patil and would sit with the protesting students in Pune on Tuesday (October 5).
“I have just spoken to Vivekanand Patil. Tomorrow, I will go and sit with the students participating in the MPSC agitation in Pune,” Mr. Thackeray said.
Addressing the MPSC chairperson, Mr. Thackeray questioned why he continued in office despite Opposition from aspirants. “Thousands and lakhs of students are rejecting you and asking you to step aside,” he said, asking whether students would have to gather outside the MPSC office before the chairman resigned.
The agitation in Pune has continued for several days, with aspirants raising a range of demands concerning the functioning of the commission, including greater transparency in examinations and the removal of its chairman. Protesters have been gathering at multiple locations in the city, including near the S.M. Joshi Bridge.
The agitation comes days after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met a delegation of MPSC aspirants on September 30 and announced a series of measures. These included the immediate transfer of the MPSC secretary, continuation of offline examinations and a judicial inquiry concerning former and incumbent MPSC officials, with further action to be considered under Article 317 of the Constitution based on its findings. The assurances had initially led to the suspension of a proposed October 2 protest, but sections of aspirants subsequently resumed their agitation.
The protest has since drawn support from several Opposition leaders. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke met the protesters on Sunday, while NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has been participating in the agitation. Mr. Pawar on Monday gave the State government a 48-hour ultimatum to address the students’ demands, warning that the agitation could intensify.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray was also scheduled to visit the protesting aspirants in Pune on Monday (October 5).
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.
