Cornered by the protesting Maratha community and the difficulties that a prolonged pandemic-lockdown has created, the Maharashtra government has postponed till further notice, the recruitment examination to be held by the state public service commission on Sunday, October 11.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and senior cabinet ministers held a meeting in Mumbai on Friday, a day before the Marathas had scheduled their state-wide protest seeking a quota in jobs and education on Saturday. The community held a massive protest in the run-up to the major agitation at Tuljapur on Friday. Without direct reference to the protest, Thackeray said the decision was taken for the benefit of candidates of all communities, castes and creeds. "Everything — coaching classes, libraries, schools and colleges are closed for the past six-seven months. The pandemic continues to grow alarmingly. There was a demand from several sections of society that the MPSC (Maharashtra Public Service Commission) exam be postponed and candidates be given time for study. I have to think of all the people in the state," said Thackeray after the meeting.