Protests in Maharashtra have reached a crescendo. In the past few weeks, different parts of Maharashtra have witnessed a string of agitations – from Gen-Z to tribal students to women, though only a few made the headlines. On Friday, October 2, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) held a protest in Mumbai, demanding the ouster of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, followed by a similar protest by the Thackeray cousins.

As this was happening, another one walked into Mumbai from Nashik over the weekend – the tribal students.

The triggers are many – farm loan waiver, student hostel facilities, better roads, noise pollution, irregularities in government recruitment exams, functioning of the Election Commission, among others.

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has listed what has kept the state government and the Maharashtra Police on their toes over the past few months.

Farmers

• Farmers protested in June and July 2026, demanding eligibility relaxations in the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar farm loan waiver scheme.

• In September 2026, the All India Kisan Sabha launched protests, demanding regular crop loan payees be given a Rs 2 lakh incentive
• In June 2026, onion farmers staged Rasta Roko on the Pune-Nashik national highway, demanding MSP for their produce.
• For the past year, farmers from western Maharashtra and Marathwada have protested against the Shaktipeeth road project, refusing to part ways with their lands.

Students

• For over 2 years, students preparing for Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examinations have protested against exam fees, online exams, delayed results and irregularities. They intensified after Vivek Bhimanwar was appointed as the MPSC chairman.
• Students in Pune protested over hostel rules. What worked as a catalyst was the deaths of tribal students in Gadchiroli due to snake bites.
• In September 2026, resident doctors and interns across Maharashtra’s government medical colleges protested against allowing homoeopathy practitioners to be registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC).
• Students protest at IIT Bombay against the death of Sahil Wakode; his parents have alleged caste bias.
• CJP protests in Mumbai and surrounding areas

Women

• Women excluded from CM Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme are protesting, alleging bias
• Pune, Nagpur, and Mumbai witnessed citizens protesting in solidarity with the survivors of sexual assault across India
• Social activist Manoj Jarange-Patil held a 20-day hunger strike, demanding Maratha quota
• To counter Jarange-Patil, OBC organisations held protests, alleging the government was diluting OBC reservation.
• Maharashtra is witnessing protests from Dhangar and Banjara communities, demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Mischellaneous

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• A road blockade was held in August 2026 across Pune, Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts to demand that the Centre restore the original direct railway alignment between Pune and Nashik.
• Citizens and environmentalists from across the state are protesting against the felling of trees in Nashik to make arrangements for the upcoming Sinhastha Kumbh Mela.
• Days before the Ganesh festival, Pune residents took to the streets, demanding a blanket ban on the use of DJs during festivals and religious events.
• Thane’s Balkum, Majiwada and Dhokali saw protests against a hyperscale data centre, expected to consume 422 MW of power, 125 kilolitres of treated water daily and have 193 diesel generators on standby.