Pune: Rohit Pawar Backs MPSC Students' Sept 27 Agitation, Says Action Against Protesters Will Not Be Tolerated

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar visited the planned location for the MPSC students' protest in Pune on September 27 and expressed his support for the demonstration. The protest is set to take place at 10am on SM Joshi Road near Ganjve Chowk, opposite Pune Patrakar Bhavan. Pawar pledged his solidarity with the students if any action was taken by the police or administration against them or those supporting the protest.

Pawar criticized notices issued to students and Telegram channel operators associated with the movement, terming them as unjust. He stated that if the police intended to take action, they should directly address the students, but not the activists. He further alleged that students, Telegram channel operators, and coaching-class operators were being contacted late at night and threatened with action over matters such as GST and fire audits. Pawar declared that his group would not tolerate such threats and would remain silent.

The NCP (SP) MLA acknowledged that students had demonstrated restraint during the Ganeshotsav and cooperated with the police by modifying their initial protest plans. He revealed that the students had initially planned to hold a protest but agreed to the police's request for a march instead. Pawar questioned how long students could be expected to protect themselves.

He announced that the September 27 protest would proceed despite criticism and mentioned that several groups, including political leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Aaditya Thackeray, and Ulhas Patil, might participate. Pawar also offered to engage in discussions with students from farmer and working-class families who disagreed with the agitation, stating his readiness to listen to their concerns.