Three of seven hunger-striking MPSC aspirants end fast in Pune on health grounds, four continue

Students in Pune are protesting to demand that Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) chairman Vivek Bhimanwar resign. On the ninth day of the agitation, it took an important turn. Three of the seven students on an indefinite hunger strike at S M Joshi bridge have decided to end their fast.

The three are Rushikesh Gangarde, Somnath Chavan and Gajanan Shelke. The fast had weakened their health and created a risk of kidney damage, so they withdrew it keeping their health in mind. Concern had already been expressed after some students' condition worsened.

The three ended the fast by taking milk from MLA Vishwajeet Kadam and a small child. MLA Rohit Pawar said the students took the decision after appeals from senior figures. Though the three have ended their fast, the protesters' position on the main demands has not changed.

Rohit Pawar, an MLA of the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, has backed the agitation. In a social media post, he gave details of the health of the students who ended their fast. He also said the protesters remain firm on their demand for Bhimanwar's resignation. The students have said the agitation will not end until their demands are met.

Meanwhile, police are said to have given instructions to clear S M Joshi bridge. All eyes are now on what happens next at the protest site.

Maharashtra Youth Congress president Shivraj More has also warned the government. He said that if the government does not decide soon on the MPSC students' demands, a protest will be held at Alka Chowk. More alleged that the government is deliberately ignoring the students' demands. He also said Youth Congress workers across the state have been ordered to go to Delhi for a protest by Rahul Gandhi. He also drew attention to the fact that three students ended their fast for health reasons.

Four of the seven continue their hunger strike. The next course of the agitation will depend on what stand the government and the commission take on the students' demands. The protest has brought the MPSC demands back into discussion. Students and candidates preparing for competitive examinations are watching what steps the administration takes next.