21 July,2026 05:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Fadnavis said attempts to organise protests without permission or create political unrest through violence would not be tolerated. File Pic
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said peaceful protests are a democratic right but warned that violence and unlawful demonstrations would invite strict action, reported the PTI.
Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said citizens are free to protest provided the demonstrations are peaceful and held with the required permission.
"In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest. If a protest is held peacefully and with due permission, it will be allowed," he said.
Referring to the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) 'Sansad Chalo' protest, Fadnavis said he did not wish to question the intentions of all participants, acknowledging that many students may have joined with genuine concerns.
However, he alleged that certain individuals had entered the protest to further their own agenda rather than raise issues related to education.
"Some people have entered the protest only to pursue their own agenda. Some of them have nothing to do with NEET and only want to create unrest," he said.
The Chief Minister also claimed that some people participating in the agitation were unaware of the issue they were protesting about.
He alleged that several participants did not know what the NEET examination was or when it had taken place, suggesting they had joined for reasons unrelated to the examination.
CM Fadnavis said attempts to organise protests without permission or create political unrest through violence would not be tolerated.
He said authorities would take necessary legal action against those involved in unlawful activities during demonstrations.
The Chief Minister defended the police action during the protests in Delhi, saying officers had exercised restraint while maintaining law and order.
According to Fadnavis, the police intervened to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid further incidents.
Fadnavis also accused some political parties and organisations of attempting to exploit the protests for political gain.
He claimed that groups with no connection to the issue were using the agitation to create instability and advance their own interests.
The remarks come a day after the CJP's 'Sansad Chalo' march in New Delhi, where protesters demanded accountability over alleged examination irregularities and called for education reforms.
(with PTI inputs)
