Uddhav Thackeray says youth protests revived democracy, exposed failures of Centre and Opposition

Uddhav Thackeray. File pic

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has hailed the youth-led protests that demanded the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling the movement "oxygen to democracy" and a sign that people have shed their fear of those in power.

In an interview with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, published in Saamana, Thackeray said the nationwide agitation organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) reflected not only the failure of the BJP-led Central government but also that of the Opposition.

His remarks were made before Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet on Saturday following weeks of protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and demands for reforms in the education system.

"These protests have given oxygen to democracy, which was almost dying,"

Thackeray said, describing the movement as one of the most significant expressions of public anger in recent years.

The former Maharashtra chief minister said the protests showed that young people had overcome their fear of imprisonment and state action. According to him, such fearlessness should concern those in power.

"It is commendable that people are no longer afraid of jail or guns. This is dangerous for the ruling party because citizens have moved beyond fear," he said.

Thackeray argued that the demonstrations were not limited to the NEET controversy but represented widespread frustration built up over the past 12 years.

"This was not just about NEET. It was an explosion of betrayal and discontent that had been building for years," he said.

He also criticised the Opposition, saying the emergence of the CJP reflected the public's declining faith in conventional political parties.

"The CJP's protest is not only a failure of the ruling party but also of the Opposition. People have lost trust in politicians," Thackeray said.

Questioning the absence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from the protests, he said the organisation had remained silent despite the scale of the public movement.

Thackeray further alleged that the BJP-led Centre had failed to deliver on its promises and accused it of weakening democratic institutions.

Slamming those who mocked the protesters by referring to them as "cockroach", he said such remarks were an insult to the country's youth and their democratic aspirations.

Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Union Education Minister on Saturday after sustained nationwide protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party over the alleged NEET paper leak and broader concerns surrounding the country's examination system.

The movement drew participation from students and supporters across several states, eventually prompting the Centre to announce a series of reforms in the examination process.

(With inputs from PTI)