Public protests against current regime are democratic, not anarchy, says Shiv Sena (UBT) in 'Samaana'

The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Thursday criticised Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS chief Mohan Bhagwats remarks on public agitations asserting that protests against the Narendra Modiled government were a democratic right rather than acts of anarchyIn an editorial published in its party mouthpiece Saamana the Uddhav Thackerayled faction accused the RSS leadership of overlooking public grievances and indirectly supporting a government that it said had created serious challenges for the countrySena questions Bhagwats remarks on protestsBhagwat while addressing the RSSs annual Vijayadashami gathering in Nagpur on Tuesday said protests were inevitable in a democracy but should focus on resolving problems rather than deepening divisions in society He also argued that changing governments did not necessarily resolve fundamental issuesThe editorial questioned these remarks arguing that public anger against the government could not be dismissed as political manipulation or an attempt to create instabilityEditorial questions outcome of 2014 political changeThe Thackeray camp interpreted Bhagwats comments on regime changes as raising questions about the political transition that brought Modi to power in 2014It also questioned whether the RSS regretted the role played by its wider organisational network in earlier political movements including the campaign that preceded the change of government in 1977Sena lists economic and democratic concernsThe editorial accused the BJPled government of contributing to economic and institutional challenges over the past 12 years It cited inflation unemployment youth distress corporate favouritism and the concentration of national wealth among influential industrialistsIt also raised concerns about democratic institutions the judiciary the Election Commission and Parliament alongside national security issues examination paper leak allegations student protests and agricultural distressEditorial questions legitimacy of public movementsThe Shiv Sena UBT questioned whether Indias independence movement and the struggle to establish a republic would have succeeded without mass participationWould India have gained freedom or republic status if the masses had not joined the independence struggle Were the agitation for the Ram Mandir or the RSSinspired Anna Hazare movement considered acts of anarchy Should the Sangh apologise to the nation for bringing an allegedly ruinous regime to power the editorial askedThe party argued that movements should be judged by their demands and methods rather than dismissed merely because they challenge the governmentSena says protests are vital to democracyConcluding its criticism the editorial maintained that public movements serve as a check on the exercise of power and provide citizens with a means to express grievancesThe Thackerayled party urged Bhagwat and the RSS leadership not to support a political approach that it described as a threat to democratic institutionsIt asserted that peaceful protests against government policies and alleged failures were rooted in democratic principles and remained an important part of public accountability