Pune, 10th October 2026: The protest by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants entered its tenth day on Saturday, with students offering to hold talks with the government while refusing to withdraw their agitation without a resolution to their demands. The protesters warned that they would intensify the movement if the government failed to address their concerns.
The agitation began on October 1 at S. M. Joshi Bridge and Lal Bahadur Shastri Road over alleged examination paper leaks, irregularities in recruitment examinations and demands for a transparent examination system. The protesters have also consistently demanded the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, maintaining that they will not call off the protest until he steps down.
The protesters said they were willing to engage in discussions and urged the government to take the first step towards resolving the issue. They said dialogue was the only way to find a solution and called on the authorities to avoid confrontation.
The students also highlighted the financial difficulties faced by many protesters, who come from ordinary and farming families. Some have ailing parents, while others belong to families struggling with drought and agricultural hardships. They said their priority was to prepare for competitive examinations and build their future, rather than engage in a prolonged confrontation with the government.
However, the protesters warned that they would resist any attempt to suppress the agitation. They said the government should initiate dialogue instead of resorting to pressure tactics and resolve the matter at the earliest.
Meanwhile, several students at S. M. Joshi Bridge have been observing a hunger strike for the past five days. The health of some fasting protesters deteriorated late Thursday night, prompting senior citizens and well-wishers to appeal to them to suspend the fast.
Following the appeal, Somnath Chavan, Hrishikesh Gangurde and Gajanan Shelke suspended their hunger strike. MLA Vishwajeet Kadam offered milk to the three students, formally marking the end of their fast.
However, four other students continued their hunger strike as the agitation remained unresolved. Despite cases being registered against some protesters, the students refused to withdraw their demands and reiterated that the government must take concrete steps to address their concerns.