19 July,2026 07:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Uddhav Thackeray said the movement was not only about Sonam Wangchuk but also about protecting the future of students. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday launched a fresh attack on the BJP-led Central government, saying the time had come to begin a fight to replace a government that is "not accountable", reported the PTI.
Addressing a rally in Mumbai, Thackeray alleged that the Centre had "stolen the future" of the country's youth by failing to address concerns over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
Referring to activist Sonam Wangchuk's ongoing hunger strike, Thackeray said the movement was not only about Wangchuk but also about protecting the future of students affected by the alleged examination irregularities and reports of student suicides.
"A fight should now be launched to change a government that is not accountable. And this fight is not just about Sonam Wangchuk," he said, according to the PTI.
Thackeray questioned how Sonam Wangchuk, known for developing solar-powered shelters for soldiers in extreme weather and creating ice stupas to tackle water shortages in Ladakh, could be described as "anti-national".
He also compared the Centre's response with that of the former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, noting that then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had sent a delegation to hold talks with social activist Anna Hazare during his hunger strike in 2011, as per the PTI.
Questioning the present government's approach, Thackeray asked why similar efforts had not been made to engage with Wangchuk, the news agency reported.
Thackeray's comments came a day before the Monsoon Session of Parliament and shortly after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs joined the rival Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and concerns over student welfare.
Earlier, while talking to reporters in Nagpur ahead of his party's 'Ram Raksha' programme, Uddhav Thackeray said the government does not value the lives of citizens and urged the Centre to talk to the protesting youth.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said, "It is shameful how Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar. Wangchuk is on the verge of sacrificing his life, and several youth are on hunger strike, but the BJP government does not care about the lives of citizens or the youth," as per PTI.
The government, which cannot conduct exams like NEET properly, must say how many youths have to sacrifice their lives before Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, the former Maharashtra chief minister added.
On the police citing medical advice and directions of the Delhi High Court to remove Wangchuk, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said police should show these orders.
(with PTI inputs)
