By Aditi S Bade
NCP(SP)workers had protested against the metro service running in Pune, demanding more
jobs and opportunities, free education, free health, and strict anti-corruption measures.
Because of this protest, the metro service had to be halted for about two hours.
Sometime after 1:30 PM, the workers of the NCP(SP) began to gather for the agitations at
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Station. With their protests escalating, the group moved
onto the metro tracks, and trains were stopped. Their call was that there should be jobs,
free educational facilities, and free medical treatments in government hospitals. It became
very tense when some people threatened to set themselves on fire. The urgency of their
demands could not be missed.
Fifty-six Metro officials stated that the issues raised by the protesters were not related to
metro operations. The police acted swiftly, putting the protesters back in two hours, when
the metro services resumed.
Later, the NCP (SP) distanced itself from the protest, calling it an unofficial party
demonstration. This indicates some divisions internally over how to deal with the issues that
were raised.
One must note the increasing public outcry about unemployment and corruption in
Maharashtra. In recent weeks, there have been surging movements by citizens and by
political participants urging the government to attend to these pressing concerns.
