Pune, 3rd October 2026: Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants continued their agitation in Pune on Friday, demanding the resignation of Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar over the commission's functioning.
The protests are being held simultaneously at Shastri Road and S M Joshi Bridge in Navi Peth after students split into two groups. Heavy police deployment has turned both locations into security zones, while S M Joshi Bridge has been completely closed to traffic.
NCP leader Dhananjay Munde visited the protest site at Shastri Road and said, "The Chief Minister has assured students that upcoming examinations will continue in the objective format, as before. A delegation of students will meet the Chief Minister in Mumbai on Monday or Tuesday to discuss their demands. I will not withdraw my support from this movement until their demands are met."
At S M Joshi Bridge, MP Supriya Sule, MLA Rohit Pawar, Congress leader Vishwajeet Kadam and farmer leader Ravikant Tupkar visited the protesting students and expressed their support.
Sule demanded the removal of the entire MPSC management body, not just its chairman. She said, "Students spend around Rs 10,000 every month on accommodation, food, coaching and other study-related expenses. Despite this, they face uncertainty over examination schedules and concerns about paper leaks. We stand firmly with the students in their fight."
Rohit Pawar demanded the immediate removal of Bhimanwar, alleging that his continued tenure could allow evidence to be destroyed. He said, "If the chairman continues in office, there is a possibility that evidence could be destroyed. He should be removed immediately, and an efficient officer like Tukaram Mundhe should be appointed to lead the commission and restore its credibility."
Pawar also urged students to remain united and criticised attempts to divide the agitation. He said that several opposition leaders, including Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, Sharad Pawar and Rahul Gandhi, were expected to visit the protest.
Farmer leader Ravikant Tupkar said the protesting aspirants largely came from rural, farming and working-class families. He said, "These students come from poor farming and working-class families in rural areas. Do not dare to call them urban Naxalites. We will hold accountable those who insult students in this manner. The government should not view this agitation from a political perspective."
Questioning the government's response to the alleged irregularities, Tupkar added, "If ten people are accused of being involved in an alleged wrongdoing, why is action being taken against only one? The government must address the students' concerns instead of treating their protest as a political issue."
