AAP MP Sanjay Singh meets protesting MPSC aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge
Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Aaditya Thackeray meets protesting MPSC aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil meets protesting MPSC aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge AAP MP Sanjay Singh meets protesting MPSC aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Aaditya Thackeray meets protesting MPSC aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil meets protesting MPSC aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge AAP MP Sanjay Singh meets protesting MPSC aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge Pune: The state civil services aspirants’ agitation entered a fresh phase on Tuesday after Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Aaditya Thackeray visited the protesting MPSC aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge in the city and gave govt 48 hours to accept the demand for the resignation of MPSC chairperson Vivek Bhimanwar, warning that the agitation would shift to Mumbai and be conducted outside the MPSC office if the demand was not met. Pawar said Bhimanwar had sent his resignation to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis around 7.30-8pm on Sunday, but questioned why it had not been sent directly to the Governor. Police have issued notices to 51 students and 29 private coaching and study-room operators for allegedly providing direct or indirect support to the protests despite permission being denied.
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Thackeray told students: “This agitation will not end until those responsible were held accountable. Pawar, who has been sitting with protesting aspirants for nearly a week now, also criticised the police for issuing notices to students, coaching classes and study-room operators supporting the agitation and warned against “behaving like Delhi police”. “CM now has to decide whether he wants to protect his friend, protect his ego or accept the demands of the students,” Pawar said. Pawar said the cabinet was expected to discuss Bhimanwar’s resignation and that protesters would wait for the outcome. Otherwise, we will go ahead with the shutdown as planned,” he said. Aaditya Thackeray, while addressing the aspirants, said these issues go beyond the MPSC exam system, linking them to concerns over jobs, education and the future of Maharashtra’s youth. Thackeray said students preparing for MPSC and UPSC examinations were doing so with the hope of entering public administration and contributing to the state’s development. However, repeated paper leaks and irregularities were undermining their aspirations, he said. Referring to the wider employment challenge posed by AI and emerging technologies, he said education systems would have to change to prepare young people for the future. Urging students to remain united, Thackeray said political differences should not divide them and appealed to the protesters to continue their agitation until their demands were addressed. Pawar criticised the police action and said notices had also been sent to Telegram channels associated with the agitation. Otherwise, the situation could go out of hand,” Pawar said. “Rohit Pawar has said he will shut down Pune city. Let him call for a shutdown and then he will understand what Punekars are like,” Nagpure said at a press conference. She said Pune had historically welcomed students from across Maharashtra and that protests should not inconvenience residents. The Mayor’s position is against shutting down Pune, not against the protest itself,” she said. Nagpure said the ongoing agitation had already caused traffic congestion and difficulties for patients, schoolchildren and college students travelling across the city. Yet, Rohit Pawar is saying he will shut down Pune,” she said. Urging aspirants to stay away from political activities, Nagpure said, “Students have come here to study. “If protesters try to shut down Pune and hold Punekars to ransom, we will also have to take to the streets,” Nagpure said.
Similarly, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar warned of a citywide shutdown if state govt does not take a decision on the resignation at the cabinet meeting. “Bhimanwar should have sent his resignation to the Governor. Now, the issue is in the CM’s court. He alleged that govt was reluctant to accept the resignation as it could set a precedent for people demanding resignations from those holding public office. “If the CM does not take a decision, we will shut down Pune. He further raised concerns over shrinking employment opportunities in the private sector and migration of industries and jobs out of Maharashtra. The agitation has also come under pressure from the Pune police, who have declared protests at three locations in the city illegal and denied permission for them. He claimed that police personnel had attempted to personally serve notices on students. “My request to the Pune police is not to behave like the Delhi police. The MPSC agitation, which has continued for several days, has brought students, political leaders and coaching centres into the spotlight, with protesters pressing for action over issues concerning MPSC’s functioning and demanding accountability from its leadership. I challenge him to go ahead and do it. “Students have the right to protest. “Punekars are tolerating all this peacefully and have never complained. They should focus on their education and careers instead of following political leaders and parties trying to score political points. She also questioned whether NCP (SP) leaders Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule supported the bandh call. Download the TOI App.
We will see whether the proposal is placed before the cabinet and a decision is taken. Bhimanwar has pushed the ball into the CM’s court by saying he has resigned and it is now for govt to decide,” Pawar told reporters on Tuesday. Call for a bandh, and see what Punekars are like: Mayor dares MLA Mayor Manjusha Nagpure on Tuesday challenged Rohit Pawar to go ahead with his threat to shut down Pune over the ongoing agitation, saying citizens should not be made to suffer in the name of the protest.
