10 October,2026 12:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, criticised the Centre over the CEC controversy and the handling of opposition protests in an editorial published in Saamana. File pic
The Shiv Sena (UBT) has accused the Centre of undermining Indian democracy, criticising the government over the controversy surrounding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the handling of opposition protests. The party's criticism appeared in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, IANS reported.
The editorial discussed the opposition's campaign against Kumar, led by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, following allegations of electoral manipulation. It claimed the ruling BJP was protecting the election chief instead of addressing concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
The editorial described such alleged protection as a "betrayal of the nation" and questioned the government's response to the opposition's demands.
The Saamana editorial accused the administration of applying different standards to opposition demonstrators and BJP workers.
"While opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were dragged, manhandled, and bundled into police vehicles during peaceful protests at Jantar Mantar, BJP Mahila Morcha activists staging abrasive demonstrations outside the Congress headquarters were granted absolute immunity by the Home Ministry," the editorial alleged.
The party also claimed that the government planned to deploy around two lakh armed Bajrang Dal members at Jantar Mantar to suppress the opposition's youth-led "cockroach" movement.
The editorial argued that using political groups or what it described as "private armies" to curb public dissent could lead to anarchy and civil unrest.
The editorial also raised concerns over restrictions on the proposed demonstrations. It cited the denial of formal permission for protests by Delhi Police, the cancellation of long-distance trains travelling towards Delhi and the interception and detention of young demonstrators attempting to reach the national capital.
It argued that these measures reflected an attempt to weaken opposition mobilisation rather than address its concerns over the electoral process.
Referring to remarks by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Abraham Lincoln's democratic principles, the editorial highlighted the importance of free elections, transparent administration and responsible governance.
It alleged that these principles were being undermined under the present dispensation and expressed concern over what it described as the capture of constitutional institutions.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena further accused the ruling establishment of relying on intimidation instead of political accountability to counter opposition voices.
The editorial warned that public discontent over the alleged erosion of democratic institutions was growing amid escalating tensions between opposition parties and the authorities.
The allegations and characterisations in the editorial represent the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s political position. The supplied report does not independently establish the claims concerning the proposed deployment of Bajrang Dal members or the alleged unequal treatment of protesters.
(With inputs from IANS)
