25 July,2026 11:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray have called for a Tiranga Vijay Rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Sunday at 10 am. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray on Saturday hailed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation following the nationwide agitation over alleged examination irregularities and the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak. The two leaders described it as a significant moment for the students' movement and announced that their joint rally in Mumbai on Sunday would go ahead as planned.
The rally will be held at Shivaji Park at 10 am.
Addressing a joint press conference, Uddhav Thackeray congratulated Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke, the protesting students and their parents for sustaining the movement.
"Since the last few days, the country has been restless, and we know why. I want to congratulate Dipke, youngsters, and their parents. This wasn't just about resignation. The government has been putting the country under pressure. A cockroach has made a dictator bow down," Uddhav Thackeray said.
He alleged that the agitation had exposed the BJP government's handling of the protests and urged the Centre to withdraw cases registered against students.
"Only because you are in power, you shouldn't act like this. Dipke says that his two demands are still on. This protest has shown the hooliganism of the BJP. Who will complain against these police officers? Amit Shah should clarify if they are going to take the complaints on the youngsters back. If they don't do this, then the youngsters might move their protest against Amit Shah," he said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also announced that the march scheduled for Sunday would proceed as planned.
"Tomorrow's march is on. It is an important step. Many people have shown their willingness. Tomorrow we will show the strength of the Yuva Shakti," he said.
Raj Thackeray also praised the students' movement and said Sunday's gathering at Shivaji Park would be held to celebrate what he described as the youth's victory.
"Tomorrow at Shivaji Park, we will come to celebrate the victory of the youngsters. They brought the government back on the ground. We'll be there to celebrate," Raj Thackeray said.
He also reiterated his party's support for CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke.
"We'll fully support Abhijeet Dipke. Whatever his next step is," he added.
Uddhav Thackeray further questioned the police action against student protesters during the agitation, alleging excessive use of force.
"Students should ask some questions to the Home Minister. Why was the water cannon used? Sticks with nails. Pellet guns. Men officers hitting women protestors. Civil dress police. Police without nameplates. Tear gas. They had electrocuted the barricade," he alleged.
Raj Thackeray, meanwhile, thanked the Mumbai Police for their assistance in connection with Sunday's planned march.
"We would like to thank the Mumbai Police for their assistance," he said.
Their remarks came after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Council of Ministers, saying he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the protests over alleged examination irregularities were not exploited by "anti-national forces."
The resignation followed weeks of nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination-related irregularities.
Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) announced the withdrawal of its agitation after Pradhan's resignation and after the Centre accepted its other key demands, including assurances on examination reforms, compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide, and the withdrawal of FIRs registered against protesters.
The Centre has also said it will examine the CJP's proposals on examination reforms and is preparing to introduce a stringent anti-paper leak law providing for Special Fast-Track Courts, a Special Task Force (STF) and other measures aimed at preventing examination malpractices across the country.
(With ANI inputs)
