Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has expressed support for the student-led protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, saying the demonstrators had shown strong determination and courage in standing up against injustice.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, Thackeray criticised the BJP-led central government’s handling of the Cockroach Janta Party-led agitation and described its response as undemocratic.
He said his interaction with the protesters had convinced him that people were prepared to continue fighting when they believed their rights and futures were under threat.
According to Thackeray, the government had a responsibility to listen to the students, engage with their concerns and seek a resolution through dialogue.
Instead, he accused the authorities of ignoring the demonstrators and responding with force.
Thackeray said such an approach did not reflect democratic values and warned that the police action had deepened public anger rather than ending the protest.
He made a sharp comparison between the current administration and British colonial rule, arguing that the violence against students had left some people feeling that even the British had behaved better.
His comments referred to the police response during the students’ march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, where officers used batons and tear gas to stop thousands of protesters from advancing.
The clashes left students and security personnel injured and triggered widespread criticism from opposition parties, activists and public figures.
Thackeray also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat.
He said the prime minister regularly expected citizens to listen to his views but appeared unwilling to hear what ordinary people and students wanted to say.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader accused the government of demanding attention for its own message while failing to understand the frustration and anxiety of the youth.
He described young people as the future of the country and said they could not be expected to remain silent when their education, careers and opportunities were at stake.
The ongoing protests have centred on allegations of a NEET-UG paper leak and other failures in India’s competitive examination system.
The Cockroach Janta Party has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a transparent investigation and reforms to protect future examinations from leaks and manipulation.
The agitation has grown from a satirical online campaign into a wider youth-led movement, attracting thousands of participants and drawing support from opposition politicians, actors and civil society figures.
Thackeray questioned whether the government’s conduct was contributing to instability and asked whether it was deliberately creating conditions for greater unrest.
He argued that attempts to suppress demonstrations could intensify public resentment and push more people onto the streets.
Alongside his criticism of the Centre, Thackeray called for stronger coordination among opposition parties.
He said opposition groups needed better communication and cooperation to challenge the ruling government effectively and respond collectively to issues affecting the public.
His remarks came as Congress, regional parties and other opposition organisations increased their support for the student movement.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had earlier staged a sit-in near Prime Minister Modi’s residence, protesting both the alleged examination failures and the police action at Jantar Mantar.
Several opposition leaders were detained during that demonstration and later released.
Thackeray also referred to the Maharashtra-wide shutdown called for July 23 by Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar.
He said growing numbers of people wanted to take to the streets and raise their voices, and argued that they should be allowed to do so peacefully.
According to Thackeray, public protest is a legitimate part of democracy and should not automatically be treated as a threat to law and order.
He maintained that the government’s first response should be consultation rather than confrontation.
The former Maharashtra chief minister said the scale of the student agitation reflected a deeper crisis of confidence among young Indians.
Many students believe repeated examination leaks and administrative failures have placed their futures at risk after years of preparation and substantial financial sacrifice by their families.
Thackeray said the government must recognise the seriousness of that anger and respond with accountability, reform and direct dialogue.
His intervention adds another prominent opposition voice to the campaign supporting the protesters and criticising the Centre’s handling of the unrest.
As demonstrations continue, pressure is increasing on the government to move beyond assurances and present concrete measures to restore trust in the examination system.
