Mumbai, Maharashtra – In a significant joint appearance, Shiv Sena (Udhhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray addressed a rally in Mumbai, focusing on national governance and student activism. Uddhav Thackeray directed sharp criticism towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to cease the alleged “breaking of political parties” and to instead prioritize effective governance. Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray lauded the recent student agitation that led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The rally, held at Shivaji Park, was organized in support of the widespread student-led protests concerning irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. The prolonged protests culminated in the resignation of Minister Pradhan the previous day.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Uddhav Thackeray, referring to Pradhan’s resignation, remarked that it signified that “a cockroach has defeated the Dictator.”. He explicitly stated, “I want to tell Modiji to stop focusing on breaking political parties and instead work on governance. Your Cabinet ministers like Nirmala Sitharaman and Rajnath Singh were busy defending Dharmendra Pradhan.”. Thackeray characterized the gathering not as a political celebration, but as a testament to “deshbhakts” (patriots) defeating “andhbhakts” (blind followers), asserting that the “fire of this agitation has now spread across the country.”. He appealed to the youth to sustain their momentum, emphasizing that while votes might be manipulated, the public’s awareness cannot be undermined.
Raj Thackeray, addressing the crowd, described the event as a celebration of the students’ victory, stating, “Gen Z has shown how to make the government bend.”. He highlighted the significance of the youth’s activism in compelling the government to acknowledge their concerns.
The joint rally, which was initially planned as a protest march, transformed into a victory celebration following Pradhan’s resignation. Sources indicate that participants carried only the national tricolour, eschewing political party flags, in a demonstration of solidarity with the student movement. The Thackeray cousins accused the central government of responding to dissent with force rather than dialogue, particularly in light of reported police actions against protesters in Delhi.
Uddhav Thackeray also drew parallels with past instances, recalling how the erstwhile UPA government had engaged in dialogue with social activist Anna Hazare during his hunger strike in 2011. He questioned why the current government had not adopted a similar approach with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike over the NEET exam irregularities and related student suicides. Thackeray alleged that the government’s handling of the situation, including reported police brutality against protesters, demanded accountability. He further warned that if justice was not served, the youth’s protest might target Union Home Minister Amit Shah next.
Raj Thackeray commended the Maharashtra police for their conduct compared to the Delhi police during the protests. The leaders also called for the withdrawal of cases registered against students involved in the agitation.
The rally in Mumbai underscored a united front between the two Thackeray cousins, who have often found themselves on opposing political sides. This joint appearance signals a strategic alignment in their criticism of the current central government’s policies and their support for public movements. The event also highlighted the growing influence of youth-led activism in shaping political discourse and demanding accountability from the government. The presence of Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut and legislator Aaditya Thackeray at the joint press conference further emphasized the seriousness of their political messaging.
The Chenab Times News Desk