Pune, 7th August 2025: Administrative work at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to come to a halt on August 7 after civic employees declared a strike to protest the behaviour of former Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporator Kishor Shinde. The announcement follows a chaotic incident that unfolded on August 6 inside the commissioner’s chamber.
Shinde, accompanied by his supporters, allegedly barged into an ongoing meeting chaired by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram. The former corporator reportedly confronted the commissioner angrily, resulting in a verbal spat that soon turned aggressive. Officials had to step in to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Employees of PMC condemned the incident, calling it an attack on the dignity of the civic body and its administrative leadership. Staff unions declared a one-day strike on Wednesday, August 7, stating they would not tolerate political interference or threats inside the municipal premises.
Following the altercation, MNS workers also launched a protest outside the commissioner’s cabin, citing issues related to alleged missing items from the commissioner’s official bungalow. The protest disrupted work for over an hour until police detained the demonstrators.
As political tensions rise and the strike draws near, concerns remain about the impact on civic services in Pune. The clash has also reignited debates around language, behaviour in public offices, and the growing politicization of civic institutions.