Mumbai, Sep 9: Launching a sharp attack on the Maharashtra government over the controversy surrounding the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday warned the state leadership against ignoring the growing anger among competitive exam aspirants, saying student resentment could have serious political consequences if unchecked.

The Thackeray camp in the party mouthpiece Saamana editorial referred to thousands of competitive exam aspirants taking to the streets in major cities, including Pune, Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Sambhaginagar, and Amravati demanding the immediate removal of the MPSC’s corrupt leadership, a thorough and impartial probe into the leak, and the enforcement of absolute transparency in competitive examinations.

The editorial slammed the systemic corruption within the commission, pointing out the leak during the MPSC Drug Inspector recruitment exam. It alleged that government posts are being auctioned off for millions of rupees, effectively destroying the dreams of hard-working, honest aspirants.

Criticising the police response, the Thackeray camp stated that while petty actors are being rounded up, the masterminds, ringleaders, and politically connected patrons behind the racket remain free under government protection.

“Selling exam papers for millions of rupees shatters the dreams of hardworking students aspiring for government jobs. While small-time operatives have been targeted, students express anger that key orchestrators and high-level backers of the paper leak syndicate remain free,” it noted.

Drawing a sharp parallel between political instability and institutional breakdown, the editorial asserted, “Those sitting in the commission leak exam papers, while those sitting in government leak political parties, MLAs, and corporators. Both are in the same business.”

Protestors in Pune echoed this sentiment with posters asking: “Have you been seated in power only to break MLAs?” it asked.

Pointing out Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s dominant influence over the state’s political landscape over the past decade, the editorial held the top leadership directly accountable for failing to curb paper leaks that continue to ruin young careers.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena condemned the state ministers for ignoring the agitating students and retreating into air-conditioned offices to interact with contractors. The editorial recalled the governance model under Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray during the Shiv Shahi era, where ministers were strictly instructed to step out, meet protestors face-to-face, and resolve public grievances on priority. In contrast, the current administration was described as acting like a passive, uncommunicative entity, completely detached from the concerns of the youth.

The Thackeray camp demanded the immediate arrest of all perpetrators and masterminds involved in the paper leak scam. “A government born out of splits and defections can yield nothing but leaks. Do not play with fire. If the rising tide of student rage turns into a wildfire, this broken government will be completely reduced to ashes,” it remarked.

Mumbai, Sep 8: Launching a scathing attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, and his faction, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, Uddhav Thackeray, on Tuesday endorsed senior advocate Kapil Sibal’s argument in the Supreme Court requesting the freezing of the undivided party’s iconic ‘Bow and Arrow’ election symbol if a final decision on the party’s identity is delayed any further.

Addressing a press conference, Thackeray justified Sibal’s stance, asserting that those who “stole” the party, its name, and its symbol should not be permitted to exploit stolen property to consolidate power and engage in misgovernance.

“Four years have passed in this legal battle. Two major elections, municipal elections, and Zilla Parishad polls have taken place while the case drags on from date to date. We are bearing the brunt of these delays. Their misuse of the symbol to retain power must be halted,” he remarked.

Thackeray added that his party holds the rightful claim to the name and symbol, reiterating that the current rulers are incapable of governance and that the dispute should never have arisen in the first place.

“We shouldn’t have had to fight a legal battle to retain our own name and symbol in the first place,” Thackeray stated.

Directing his ire at the Election Commission of India (ECI), he questioned its impartiality. “The ECI is scrutinising our party constitution, yet it turns a blind eye to bogus political parties—like the six entities sharing an office in Naroda holding over Rs 620 crore in assets. Is the ECI auditing their constitutions, or should we assume the Commission is a partner in those donations?”

Rebutting Eknath Shinde’s remark that freezing the symbol equates to “freezing Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology,” Thackeray said, “Shinde and his associates are men with frozen minds. I won’t ask to send them to a cattle shed (gotha), because even livestock serve a purpose to humanity. These frozen-minded thieves have lost all moral right to speak on the Bow and Arrow.”

Beyond internal party matters, the former Chief Minister touched upon key public and political issues. Commenting on the nuisance caused by high-decibel DJ sound systems during festivals, Thackeray voiced support for restrictions, noting, “Everyone wants to celebrate festivals, but nobody wants intolerable noise pollution.”

Thackeray extended strong support to banning high-decibel DJ sound systems during major festivals like Ganeshotsav and Dahi Handi, advocating instead for traditional Indian musical instruments.

Drawing a historical parallel, Thackeray noted that Lokmanya Tilak transformed festivals into a mass movement for India’s freedom struggle, which later evolved into grand public celebrations. However, he cautioned that these celebrations should not degenerate into loud, disruptive noise.

“The sanctity of our festivals must be preserved; there is no need for utter chaos and noise,” Thackeray remarked. “Festivals are meant to bring joy to the public, not to cause distress. People want to celebrate, but they do not want the harassment that comes with extreme noise.”

Thackeray questioned the need for massive speaker stacks and complex decibel-monitoring protocols when traditional music instruments are readily available. He urged the administration to engage directly with festival committees (Ganeshotsav Mandals) and key stakeholders to establish clear time limits and reasonable guidelines through dialogue rather than coercion.

Taking a swipe at “Neo-Hindutva” proponents regarding controversial dance performances during Dahi Handi events, Thackeray asked whether such vulgarity aligns with their values, urging them to publicly clarify their stance on the matter.

On removal of PM Modi’s photographs by MNS activists in Pune college, Thackeray backed the decision to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pictures alongside revered historical figures.

“Under no circumstances should the Prime Minister’s photograph be placed next to iconic national icons and great personalities,” he asserted.

A financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh has been handed over by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation to Anjum Shaikh, wife of late Aslam Shaikh, a resident of Sakinaka (Yadun Nagar) who lost his life in a manhole accident at Khairani Road, Kurla. Anjum Shaikh sent a letter thanking the Mayor, public representatives of all political parties and the municipal administration for the immediate help provided by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde during this crisis and the timely assistance provided by the Corporation. After the tragedy that took place on 2 July 2026, Mayor Ritu Tawde reached out to the Shaikh family to express her condolences, recognising the needy circumstances of the family, she had immediately promised a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh. Following these instructions, the Corporation’s ‘L’ Ward (Kurla) office followed up on the matter, ensuring completion of necessary formalities related to bank account details and inheritance documents. On August 4, 2026, an amount of ₹10 lakh was transferred directly to Anjum Shaikh’s bank account. Submitting a written acknowledgement of assistance to the Municipal Corporation, Anjum Shaikh said in her letter that the promise made by the Mayor to our family in this very difficult time has been fulfilled. I am grateful to the public representatives of all parties, office bearers, the Mayor, and the municipal officers who guided and supported this entire process. The family was deeply shocked by the tragic demise of their father Kafeel Aslam Shaikh, however, it was our duty to stand with the bereaved family. The sentiments expressed in Anjum Shaikh’s letter encourage the Municipal Corporation administration to work with greater sensitivity.