30 July,2026 11:54 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Pic/PTI
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday criticised the government over the alleged labelling of young student protesters as "cockroaches," saying such remarks reflected an attempt to suppress dissent. Drawing a historical parallel, he said even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had been derogatorily referred to as a "rat" by the Mughals.
Speaking at the launch of a book by Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Harshal Pradhan, Thackeray defended the student protesters and accused the authorities of unfairly targeting young people demanding justice.
Referring to the recent protests, Thackeray said the students being criticised were only teenagers and questioned the language used against them.
"Yuva Shakti has shown that democracy has lost. Today, if a stone is lifted for the right of justice, the person is called a terrorist. Those referred to as cockroaches were aged 16-17 years. Even Shivaji Maharaj was called Chuha (rat) by the Mughals. You call today's youth cockroaches! The young girl who stopped the police car is being trolled by the fanatics," he said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief argued that branding young protesters in such a manner undermines democratic values and discourages citizens from raising legitimate concerns.
Commenting on the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, Thackeray said the government's priority should be creating employment opportunities rather than increasing the number of Members of Parliament.
He said addressing unemployment among young people would have a far greater impact than expanding political institutions.
"Instead of increasing the number of MPs, it would be better to provide more employment opportunities for these young people. If employment opportunities are increased, you won't even need to limit MPs; people would happily carry these very same youths on their heads," he said.
During his speech, Uddhav Thackeray also referred to his father and Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, claiming that if he were alive today, he too would have been criticised by the present political establishment.
"It takes courage to publish a book on the Thackeray family. If Balasaheb Thackeray were there today, he too would have been called anti-Hindu. Religion does not make a man. I can show the words of Balasaheb Thackeray in many speeches that 'humanity is religion'."
He said humanity should remain the guiding principle above religious identity and urged people not to politicise faith.
In a sharp criticism of the ruling establishment, Thackeray questioned those who, according to him, invoke religion for political gain while failing to uphold its values.
"Don't you feel ashamed to loot the temple of that very Rama in whose name you gained power?" he said.
(With inputs from ANI)
