Pune Police Deny Permission For MPSC Protest, Rohit Pawar Firm On Holding Agitation
Pune, 22nd September 2026: The Pune police have denied permission for the student protest planned on September 26 over the demand for the resignation of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) chairman Vivek Bhimanwar, but NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar remained firm on holding the agitation.
Pawar had sought permission to hold the protest on Shastri Road. Police, however, said permission could not be granted as the proposed venue is a crowded area and restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are currently in force in the area.
The protest has been called by students seeking the resignation of the MPSC chairman, appointment of Tukaram Mundhe or Sunil Gedam as commission chairperson, and conducting examinations in offline mode. Pawar said students had also opposed holding the agitation during Ganeshotsav.
“Police informed us today that the protest cannot be held on September 26. Permission has not been granted. But we will hold the agitation at 10am on September 27 at Garware Road,” Pawar said.
He said the government could hold discussions with a 15-member delegation of students before the protest if it wanted to resolve the issue. Pawar also maintained that there was no division among the students on the demands.
He alleged that police were attempting to suppress the agitation by initiating action such as fire audits of coaching classes. Pawar claimed the action was being carried out through the Pune police commissioner.
The agitation comes amid allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in MPSC and other competitive examinations. Pawar has also levelled corruption allegations against Bhimanwar and said he would submit new evidence to the state government.
While some students have expressed willingness to go on a hunger strike, Pawar appealed to them to reconsider the move citing health concerns. He said the government should accept the students’ demands and take a positive decision within five days.
