22 July,2026 11:51 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray. Pic/X
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday criticised the police action against protesters demonstrating over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, saying that if young people are forced to take to the streets, it reflects concerns about governance that the government must answer.
His remarks came amid escalating political protests in the national capital following clashes between demonstrators and police during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) "Sansad Chalo" march and subsequent protests by Opposition parties.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Thackeray said the immediate priority should be the release of detained students and youth who participated in the protests.
"Our demand was clear. The children and youth who have been detained should be released... This is for the first time we're seeing a peaceful protest, while the government is becoming violent," he said, referring to the police action during the CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
He alleged that the government's response to peaceful demonstrations had raised serious concerns.
Commenting on the Opposition's protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in Delhi, Thackeray said public demonstrations by young people reflected dissatisfaction with the government's functioning.
"... If the youth of the country are on the streets, and the government is beating the youth of the country, then questions will be asked. Questions will be asked about bad governance. Questions will be asked about a government that doesn't know how to work..." he said.
The Centre and Delhi Police have maintained that action during the protests was taken to enforce prohibitory orders and maintain law and order after demonstrations allegedly turned violent.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government was unwilling to allow a discussion in Parliament on the events surrounding the July 20 protest march.
Addressing a video message, Gandhi said he had met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and requested a debate on the issue.
"This morning I met the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and I told him that we needed to be allowed to debate what happened to the students the day before. The speaker said he needed to take permission from the government, and it became clear that there was no interest in the government in having a debate. We decided to go and protest in front of the Prime Minister's house and bring the students' issues to national attention..." Gandhi said.
He also reiterated the Opposition's demands, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, withdrawal of cases registered against students, and a discussion on the issue in both Houses of Parliament.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said the party's demands remained unchanged and called for the withdrawal of FIRs filed against students and youth participating in the protests.
"Our demands will not change. If PM Modi thinks that he can dictate what demands the Leader of the Opposition should place before him, he is under a huge misconception. Dharmendra Pradhan must go; the FIRs and cases filed against students and the youth must be withdrawn..." Khera said.
The Congress has also demanded accountability for the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and action over the police response to the protests.
On Tuesday, several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained by Delhi Police during a protest near the Prime Minister's residence.
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi later reached Mandir Marg Police Station, where some detained leaders were taken, while another group, including Rahul Gandhi, was taken to Chhatrasal Stadium.
The Congress leaders had marched from Rajaji Marg towards the Prime Minister's residence, demanding accountability over the alleged paper leak, action against the police crackdown on student protesters and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
(With inputs from ANI)
