Mumbai, July 22: The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Wednesday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government, alleging that the Modi administration has entered a period of decline following recent youth-led protests in New Delhi.

In a scathing editorial published in its mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, the party characterised the police action against protesting youths in the national capital as an act of high-handedness, accusing the ruling administration of using force rather than engaging in dialogue with aggrieved citizens.

“On the streets of Delhi, police were lathi-charging youth, while angry young people quietly stood their ground and absorbed the blows. When protesters are born who say, ‘Hit me more, but I will not move from here’, what harm can dictators do to them? On Monday, the tyranny of the world’s largest democracy was seen on the streets of Delhi. Government violence on India’s land of ‘Buddha’ proved to be a mockery of humanity. Modi calls himself a Vishwaguru. Blind followers consider him the 13th incarnation of Vishnu. However, on the streets of Delhi, they are running a demonic regime that breaks the heads of innocent youth. If those in power do not initiate a dialogue, it seems their rule will not last long,” said the editorial.

The editorial claimed that despite being struck, protesters refused to yield, signalling growing defiance against the administration.

It argued that the administration consistently avoids direct communication with movement leaders, journalists, and affected citizens. It questioned why Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has not been asked to resign in the wake of the ongoing youth discontent, claiming the government fears a domino effect of ministerial resignations.

“In reality, taking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was easy, but PM Modi does not take this resignation. Because after that, a queue of resignations would follow in the Cabinet. At least a dozen ministers who are statues of vices like corruption, looting, and inefficiency would have to resign. Every time, the public will come onto the streets and knock on Modi’s door to demand the resignations of corrupt officials,” noted the editorial.

The editorial highlighted nationwide land and environmental disputes, including ongoing tree-felling protests in Rishikesh and forest clearances in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. It also pointed to farmer agitations across several Maharashtra districts, such as Nashik, Akola, Solapur, Bhandara, and Buldhana, over infrastructure projects, land acquisition, and ring-road construction.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena accused the ruling party of undermining constitutional machinery, asserting that judicial appointments and the Election Commission are heavily influenced by the executive. It also criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over parliamentary proceedings and the absence of a designated Opposition Leader in the state legislature.

Drawing parallels with global student- and youth-led revolutions in countries like Libya, Bangladesh, and Nepal, the editorial warned that a total breakdown in dialogue between rulers and citizens historically leads to civil unrest and the downfall of authoritarian regimes.

“Dialogue is crucial in politics. However, dialogue between the Modi government and the public has ended. For the BJP, the voter has become a purchasable commodity. The ego of Modi — who ruled for 12 years on the formula that elections can be won by buying this commodity — has been reduced to dust by the anger of the youth,” remarked the editorial.

The editorial cautioned that “corrupt and non-responsive regimes are historically dismantled when public patience runs out”.

It concluded by accusing the ruling party of “capturing” democratic institutions, including the judiciary and the Election Commission, while attempting to run a state completely devoid of opposition representation.

Mumbai: A ruckus has erupted once again over the hoisting of Aurangzeb’s portrait at the CJP protest demonstration at Dadar Chetana Bhoomi in Mumbai, which has further escalated the situation, while politics has now started under the guise of Aurangzeb, while the police are investigating the matter. Mumbai Police has intensified its action against those protesting in support of the Delhi Jantar Mantar protest in Maharashtra and Mumbai. So far, about 8 FIRs have been registered against the protesters, of which four FIRs have been registered in Shivaji Park, Chetna Bhoomi, along with one FIR in Marine Drive and Azad Maidan. Now, politics has started in Mumbai over the hoisting of a poster of Aurangzeb (may Allah be pleased with him) during the protest. The police have started an investigation in this matter. Aurangzeb’s picture was hoisted during the protest in Dadar Chetna Bhoomi, which was later removed. However, in this matter, the police are investigating who had included this picture in the protest and what was the purpose behind it. The police have started an investigation in the matter of hoisting Aurangzeb’s picture in Mumbai and are formally finding out who was the one who hoisted this picture and what was the purpose behind it. DCP Mahendra Pandit said that in this matter, through social media, The identity of the accused is being ascertained, along with a case registered for illegally blocking the road and protesting without prior permission. In this case, an investigation is also underway as to why Aurangzeb’s picture was brought and what was the purpose behind it, while politics has started after this incident and the paper leak case has become Aurangzeb’s responsibility. The Home Ministry has ordered the Mumbai Police to investigate this matter and the police are conducting an inquiry into this matter. In the FIRs registered by the police so far, 600 accused have been named.

Mumbai, July 21: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Central Government over the forcible hospitalisation of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and the violent lathi-charge on protesting students.

Taking to X, Thackeray condemned the government’s heavy-handed response, remarking, “This government itself has become mentally ill and needs to be admitted to a hospital.”

Expressing displeasure over the action against peaceful demonstrators, the MNS chief said the Central Government forcibly picked up Wangchuk and admitted him to a hospital. He added that the ruthless lathi-charge on protestors showed the government took pride in crushing legitimate protests.

Reiterating his demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Thackeray questioned the government’s reluctance.

“Who is Dharmendra Pradhan that accepting his resignation feels like a failure to the government? The outrage of the nation’s students is far more important than the ego of Dharmendra Pradhan and the government,” he said. He asked why the Prime Minister, who conducts ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha,’ was not engaging directly with students on the streets.

Criticising the ruling dispensation’s attitude toward grievances and the opposition, Thackeray asserted that the administration had developed an arrogant mindset.

He alleged that the ruling party believed it had won the elections through central agencies and EVMs rather than through public votes.

Drawing parallels with historical and global student movements, Thackeray cited the Arab Spring (2011), the Sri Lankan crisis (2022), anti-government protests in Nepal, and Jayaprakash Narayan’s ‘Sampoorna Kranti’ (Total Revolution) in India, noting that student unrest has historically triggered major political shifts.

“This movement isn’t restricted to just one exam. It is an outburst of public despair against inflation, contract culture, suffocating urban development, and broader governance failures,” he said.

He added that the courage shown by students stemmed from deep despair over the state of affairs in the country, warning that power gained through historic movements would slip away if the government relied on brutality rather than wisdom.

Reaffirming his party’s stance against centralised entrance exams like NEET, Thackeray urged the administration to show wisdom rather than force.

“An incompetent minister must resign, and complete transparency must be brought into examinations. There is no bravery in ruthlessly crushing protests; true wisdom lies in resolving them through dialogue. MNS extends its full support to these students and their demands,” he noted.