Launching a strong criticism against the BJP-led NDA government, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray accused the Centre of being mocked during the 35-day protests by youth and student leaders at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. In an editorial in its publication ‘Saamana’, the Thackeray faction mentioned that the continuous demonstrations against NEET exam paper leaks challenged PM Modi’s perceived ‘invincibility’.
The editorial highlighted the widespread discontent among Indian youth, leading to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan becoming the “first political casualty”. Despite initial government resistance, escalating public anger eventually compelled the government to request Pradhan’s resignation. The party rejected Pradhan’s stated reason for stepping down, questioning the existence of “anti-national forces” at the protests.
Labelling student leaders and climate activists as ‘anti-national’ was criticized as an insult to the genuine concerns of the nation. The editorial emphasized that Pradhan’s resignation was not about national unity but was linked to the tragic loss of 20 young lives due to the NEET paper leak. The editorial also mentioned key figures who played significant roles in the movement, such as Abhijeet Dipke, Sonam Wangchuk, and Neha Bora.
The editorial held Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for ordering severe police actions on student protesters and demanded an apology from PM Narendra Modi. It dismissed the government’s anti-paper leak bill as a mere “gimmick”, alleging that it was a rehashed version of existing legislation with modified penalties. The editorial praised the digital skills and spontaneous organization of the protesting youth, which outshone the BJP’s digital outreach efforts.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) cautioned that unless the government addresses the underlying issues causing student dissatisfaction and administrative shortcomings, the discontent among students will continue to escalate nationwide.
