Shiv Sena (UBT) backs Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike, seeks Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday intensified its attack on the BJP by urging all political parties to support climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination paper leaks and alleged irregularities that have affected lakhs of students across the country, while simultaneously announcing a "Ram Raksha" protest at a Ram temple in Nagpur over the alleged theft at Ayodhya's Ram Temple.

Addressing the media in Mumbai, Thackeray said he was prepared to visit Delhi, if required, to support the protest led by Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). At the same time, he urged the ruling government not to view the agitation through a political lens, but as a movement by the youth against a system that is jeopardising the future and careers of lakhs of students.

Thackeray urged all political parties to support the CJP-led protest "without any political flag" and said even Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should join the agitation, asserting that the movement transcends politics and is about safeguarding the future of students affected by repeated examination paper leaks and irregularities.