BEST Union Leader Shashank Rao Ends Hunger Strike After Management Agrees to Demands

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Workers’ Union leader Shashank Rao withdrew his indefinite hunger strike at 3:15 pm on August 21, 2026, after the BEST management gave a positive response to key demands raised by the union.

The hunger strike had entered its fourth day before being called off. According to the union, the BEST management accepted the proposal placed before it and agreed to take further action on five major demands raised by the workforce.

The formal withdrawal of the hunger strike was announced by Rajaram Yadav, Senior Secretary of the BEST Workers’ Union.

Rao had initially launched the indefinite hunger strike on August 18, 2026, seeking resolution for multiple long-pending issues concerning BEST employees. The primary grievances raised during the protest included demands for salary revision, payment of arrears, job regularisation, and equal pay.