Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray strongly criticized the Central Government for forcibly hospitalizing climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and using violence against protesting students. Thackeray condemned the government’s actions, stating that it seemed “mentally ill” and needed hospitalization. He expressed disappointment over the treatment of peaceful demonstrators, highlighting the forceful hospitalization of Wangchuk and the aggressive lathi-charge on protesters as examples of the government’s harsh approach.
Thackeray demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, questioning the government’s reluctance to accept it. He emphasized the importance of addressing the concerns of the nation’s students over individual egos, calling for direct engagement between the Prime Minister and protesting students. Thackeray criticized the ruling party’s attitude towards grievances and opposition, accusing them of an arrogant mindset and attributing their electoral success to central agencies and EVMs rather than public support.
Drawing parallels with historical and global student movements, Thackeray referenced past events like the Arab Spring, the Sri Lankan crisis, anti-government protests in Nepal, and Jayaprakash Narayan’s ‘Sampoorna Kranti’ in India. He highlighted that the current student unrest was not just about exams but reflected wider public frustration with issues like inflation, contract culture, and governance failures. Thackeray commended the students for their courage and warned that using force instead of dialogue could lead to a loss of power gained through historic movements.
Reiterating his party’s opposition to centralized entrance exams like NEET, Thackeray called for a more thoughtful approach from the government. He stressed the importance of ministerial accountability, transparent examinations, and resolving protests through dialogue rather than suppression. MNS extended its full support to the students and their demands for a fairer system.
