NEET row: Uddhav-Raj Thackeray announce July 26 protest in Mumbai without political flags – ‘We will beat up anyone who…’ | Today’s news
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Thursday, July 26, announced a joint morcha to highlight the concerns of students and their parents over the alleged police crackdown on protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest march and the NEET paper leak controversy.
Raj warned to “beat up” anyone causing a disturbance during their “peaceful” protest on the horizon. He said the march would start from Shivaji Park and end at the Siddhivinayak Temple, stressing that the participants would not carry flags of any political party.
What did Uddhav Thackeray say?
Addressing a joint press conference, Uddhav accused the government of insensitivity but said the student community was no longer intimidated.
“Will the Prime Minister take responsibility for the policemen who assaulted students and tore the clothes of protesting women?” he asked, according to PTI.
“This issue is not limited to NEET exam only. A person from Bihar met Sanjay Raut and shared the hardships and problems they are facing. We will have to fight against it. I also met students; they were beaten and thrashed. Their clothes were torn,” Uddhav mentioned, according to ANI.
Uddhav also criticized the Union government, saying that the current situation in the country suggests that the problem goes beyond Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and reflects the need for change in the government itself.
He also revealed that he had spoken to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi regarding the protest, adding that Maharashtra Congress leaders would participate in the march. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress are allies in the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
Uddhav said that the upcoming protest will be a non-partisan demonstration held in the national interest. He claimed that the prime minister’s tweet posted earlier in the day was unnecessary and accused the authorities of using police personnel to attack students. Uddhav further alleged that individuals without identity cards impersonated policemen and attacked the protesting students with lathis.
“Only the tricolor will be seen in this movement, no political party flags will be allowed,” Uddhav said.
“The pressure on students is huge”: Raj
Raj claimed that the government was forced to go on the defensive as the student movement gained significant momentum across the state, adding, “We will thrash anyone who tries to disrupt our peaceful protest in Mumbai on July 26.”
“The pressure on students today is immense. When the BJP was in opposition, it demanded the resignation of many people. After the 26/11 attacks, the home minister was removed from office. And that’s exactly what the students are demanding today, to remove the education minister,” Raj mentioned, according to ANI.
Mumbai witnessed demonstrations in support of the CJP-led student agitation in New Delhi.
On Monday, Delhi Police used tear gas shells and batons on Parliament Street as thousands of protesters marched towards Parliament, where members of parliament gathered on the opening day of the monsoon session.
