Mumbai: The Uttar Pradesh government’s order to demolish parts of Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur has drawn strong reactions in Mumbai. An important meeting was held today at the famous ‘Islam Gymkhana’ in Mumbai against this action. The participants made serious allegations and said that instead of establishing new centers for higher education, the government is destroying an institution that shapes the future of thousands of students. The speakers in the meeting stressed that this issue is not limited to a single building but is related to the educational future of thousands of students, the education system and the rights of minorities. They were of the view that if there were any technical irregularities in the operations or construction of the university, the government should have tried to correct them within the legal framework and save the institution. Instead of finding any constructive solution, this action is being taken only in the spirit of political revenge. The meeting unanimously condemned this unfair policy in the strongest terms. Important resolutions were passed in the meeting to determine the future course of action. It was decided that a delegation would immediately meet the Governor of Maharashtra and submit a memorandum, urging him to direct the Uttar Pradesh government to intervene in the matter. A warning was also issued that if the government took further action against Jauhar University, a massive public movement would be launched in Mumbai. This important meeting was attended by a large number of prominent scholars, social workers, and intellectuals of Mumbai, including MLAs Abu Asim Azmi, Yousuf Abrahani, Meraj Siddiqui, Maulana Anis Ashrafi, Aamir Idrisi, Saleem Alwar, Saeed Hamid, Sarfaraz Arzoo, and Dr. Zeba Malik.

Mumbai: Modak Sagar Lake, one of the seven lakes supplying water to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) area, started flowing at 2:07 am today (July 23, 2026). The BMC’s Hydraulic Engineering Department said that a gate of the lake has been opened. The water level in the reservoir has increased rapidly due to continuous, heavy rainfall in the areas occupied by the lakes over the past few days. The maximum water storage capacity of Modak Sagar Lake, which started flowing from tonight, is 12,892.5 crore litres (128,925 million litres). In previous years, Modak Sagar Lake started flowing on July 9, 2025, July 25, 2024 and July 27, 2023.

The total maximum water storage capacity of the seven dams supplying water to Mumbai is about 1,44,736.3 crore litres (1,447,363 million litres). As of 6:00 AM today, the total water storage in all seven lakes is 1,00,943.2 crore litres (1,009,432 million litres). This water storage is 69.74% of the maximum water storage capacity of the lakes, which is 1,447,363 million litres.

Additional Information
1) The Modak Sagar Project, built on the Vetarna River in Shahpur taluka of Thane district, is a key water source meeting the drinking water needs of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

2) The construction of the project was completed in 1954, and it is managed by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

3) Located 120 km from Mumbai, the project has a structure length of 548.64 metres and a height of 82.296 metres.

4) The total catchment area is 450.625 sq km, and it contributes 11.22% to the total water supply provided to Mumbai.

5) Out of the seven lakes supplying water to the BMC area, Modak Sagar Lake has started flowing from today. Ahead of this monsoon season, Tansa Lake started flowing at 8:51 am on July 22, 2026. ‘Vihar’ Lake started overflowing at 9:00 pm on July 7, 2026, and ‘Tulsi’ Lake also started flowing at 11:43 pm on the same day (2026). Thus, as of July 23, 2026, four of the seven lakes supplying water to the BMC area have filled and overflowed.

Mumbai, July 23: In a joint press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray on Thursday came together to sharply criticise the NDA government at the Centre over the ongoing NEET exam paper leak controversy and the police action against protesting students in Delhi. They also announced a joint protest march on July 26.

Announcing the major political and social mobilisation, both leaders declared that they will lead a massive non-partisan protest march in Mumbai on Sunday, July 26, starting from Shivaji Park (Shivtirtha) to the Siddhivinayak Temple.

Drawing parallels to past political resignations — including former Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil’s exit following the 26/11 attacks — Raj Thackeray asserted that accountability must start at the top.

He stated that the issue has crossed Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and now directly reaches Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Raj Thackeray condemned the Centre’s refusal to hold dialogue with protestors, citing previous instances like the farmers’ agitation, the Manipur crisis, and the Ladakh protests.

“Farmers were dying earlier; now students will be forced to commit suicide. What kind of arrogance of power is this that the administration refuses to listen to anyone?” he asked.

He noted that had the NDA government initiated talks with the students over the NEET paper leaks, the hunger strike by educator and innovator Sonam Wangchuk and the protest by the Cockroach Janata Party would not have happened.

Promising a peaceful protest, Raj Thackeray warned that if any attempt is made to infiltrate or disrupt their rally like in New Delhi, their supporters would take strict action.

Uddhav Thackeray condemned the police action against student protestors in Delhi, alleging that young women were beaten with nail-embedded batons and had their clothes torn.

He questioned how individuals in civil attire were handed police batons to suppress the agitation.

Expressing deep frustration over the response from the judiciary, Uddhav Thackeray stated that the courts seem to have time for minor issues like stray animals and pigeons, but fail to deliver timely justice to students facing severe state pressure.

Calling the current administration “merciless,” he urged citizens and political leaders across the board to stand up for the country’s youth.

Both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray stressed that the rally will carry no political party flags— only the Indian National Flag will be displayed. They said the students, parents, Opposition leaders (including MVA allies) and any citizens concerned with the students’ future can participate in Sunday’s march.