Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray lauded the youth-led protests that culminated in Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, calling them 'oxygen to democracy'. The movement, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), had been demanding Pradhan's ouster over irregularities in examinations and the NEET paper leak.
Pradhan stepped down on Saturday after nationwide agitation that drew lakhs of participants. The CJP, founded by Abhijit Dipke, organized protests that rapidly expanded across India, forcing the government to act.
Thackeray's Critique of Political Establishment
In an interview with party MP Sanjay Raut, editor of the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece 'Saamana', Thackeray asserted that the protests reflected a failure of both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition parties. 'These protests have given oxygen to democracy which was almost dying,' he said.
Thackeray questioned the absence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from the protests, implying a disconnect between the government and its ideological parent. He added that the country has lost trust in politicians, and the uprising was not solely about NEET but an explosion of betrayal and discontent accumulated over the past 12 years.
Fearlessness Among Protesters
The former Maharashtra chief minister highlighted the fearlessness of the protesters, noting that people no longer fear jail or guns. 'From Delhi to Mumbai, I have realised that people have moved beyond fear. Till now people were kept at gunpoint, but now they shrugged fear for their life and have hit the streets,' Thackeray said. He called this attitude 'dangerous' for the ruling party.
Thackeray slammed the BJP-led central government, accusing it of completely destroying the country. He also criticized the label 'cockroach' used for the youth, calling it an insult.
Context of the Agitation
The CJP-led movement began with demands for accountability in the NEET paper leak case and broader education reforms. The protests gained momentum as students and parents joined, leading to a series of demonstrations in major cities. The resignation of Pradhan marked a significant victory for the campaign.
Thackeray's remarks underscore the widening rift between the opposition and the government, as well as the growing political assertiveness of India's youth. The episode also raises questions about the responsiveness of both the ruling party and the opposition to public grievances.
