NEET leak row: Thackeray brothers criticise Centre; announce joint protest march on July 26

Mumbai: In a joint press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray on Thursday came together to sharply criticise the NDA government at the Centre over the ongoing NEET exam paper leak controversy and the police action against protesting students in Delhi. They also announced a joint protest march on July 26.

Announcing the major political and social mobilisation, both leaders declared that they will lead a massive non-partisan protest march in Mumbai on Sunday, July 26, starting from Shivaji Park (Shivtirtha) to the Siddhivinayak Temple.

Drawing parallels to past political resignations — including former Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil’s exit following the 26/11 attacks — Raj Thackeray asserted that accountability must start at the top.

He stated that the issue has crossed Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and now directly reaches Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Raj Thackeray condemned the Centre’s refusal to hold dialogue with protestors, citing previous instances like the farmers’ agitation, the Manipur crisis, and the Ladakh protests.

“Farmers were dying earlier; now students will be forced to commit suicide. What kind of arrogance of power is this that the administration refuses to listen to anyone?” he asked.

He noted that had the NDA government initiated talks with the students over the NEET paper leaks, the hunger strike by educator and innovator Sonam Wangchuk and the protest by the Cockroach Janata Party would not have happened.

Promising a peaceful protest, Raj Thackeray warned that if any attempt is made to infiltrate or disrupt their rally like in New Delhi, their supporters would take strict action.

Uddhav Thackeray condemned the police action against student protestors in Delhi, alleging that young women were beaten with nail-embedded batons and had their clothes torn.

He questioned how individuals in civil attire were handed police batons to suppress the agitation.

Expressing deep frustration over the response from the judiciary, Uddhav Thackeray stated that the courts seem to have time for minor issues like stray animals and pigeons, but fail to deliver timely justice to students facing severe state pressure.

Calling the current administration “merciless,” he urged citizens and political leaders across the board to stand up for the country’s youth.

Both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray stressed that the rally will carry no political party flags— only the Indian National Flag will be displayed. They said the students, parents, Opposition leaders (including MVA allies) and any citizens concerned with the students’ future can participate in Sunday’s march.

IANS