23 July,2026 02:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS founder Raj Thackeray address a joint press conference in Mumbai on Thursday. PIC/X
In a scathing attack on the Centre over the ongoing National Eligibility Entrance Test (Undergraduate) paper leak controversy and the alleged police action against protesting students, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founder Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday announced a âmorcha' in Mumbai on Sunday, July 26, to convey the "angst" of students and their parents.
Addressing a joint press conference, the two leaders said the march was being organised over the alleged police atrocities against protesters and the NEET paper leak. Raj Thackeray said the morcha would begin from Shivaji Park and culminate at the Siddhivinayak Temple, adding that no political party flags would be allowed during the protest.
"In this movement, only the Tricolour will be seen; no political party flags will be allowed," Uddhav Thackeray said.
The former Maharashtra Chief Minister also stated that the government was being "ruthless", but students were no longer afraid.
"Will the prime minister take responsibility for policemen who assaulted students and tore the clothes of women protesters?" he questioned.
Uddhav Thackeray further said that he had spoken to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi about the protest and that leaders of the Maharashtra Congress would participate in the march.
Raj Thackeray, meanwhile, warned, "We will thrash anyone who tries to disrupt our peaceful protest in Mumbai on July 26," he said.
He also drew parallels with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks while stressing the need for ministerial accountability.
"The kind of pressure being exerted on students today is immense. When the BJP was in the opposition, they used to demand the resignations of many people. After the 26/11 attacks, the Home Minister was removed from his post. And that is exactly what the students are demanding today, to remove the education minister," he stated.
Echoing concerns over the wider impact of the controversy, Uddhav Thackeray said the issue extended beyond the NEET examination.
"This issue is not limited to just the NEET exam. A person from Bihar met Sanjay Raut and shared the hardships and problems they are facing. We will have to fight against this. I met the students as well; they were beaten and thrashed. Their clothes were torn," stated the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief.
Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to the controversy, Raj Thackeray said: "The tweet posted by the Prime Minister today has no meaning anymore. Even during the farmers' protest, he was not ready to meet anyone. During the Manipur crisis as well, no one was listened to. The Prime Minister should have met with the students at least once and spoken to them."
The former Maharashtra chief minister also criticised the Prime Minister's post on the issue.
"The Prime Minister's tweet today was completely unnecessary. Police officers are being used to beat and assault children. People without any identification cards were posing as police and lathi-charging the students," Uddhav Thackeray alleged.
Taking a direct swipe at the Centre, he further stated: "Looking at the current situation in the country, it now feels that it's not just about Dharmendra Pradhan--the entire government needs to be changed."
Referring to a video allegedly showing a police officer threatening to frame a student in a narcotics case, Raj Thackeray said he had shared it with the Mumbai Police Commissioner.
"I've sent a video to the Commissioner where a policeman is seen threatening a student. He told the student he would plant a packet of powder in his bag. Does our police carry powder with them to frame innocent people? Strict action should be taken immediately," he added.
Raj Thackeray also warned of growing distress among students, recalling one of his earlier statements.
"A video of mine is going viral where I had warned: 'Today, the farmers are committing suicide; tomorrow, the students will,'" he said.
The MNS chief also claimed the government had gone on the back foot as the students' agitation had gathered momentum.
Mumbai has witnessed protests in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party-led students' agitation in New Delhi. On Monday, Delhi Police used tear gas shells and lathis on Parliament Street as thousands of protesters marched towards Parliament during the first day of the Monsoon Session.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
