Maharashtra
Political interests derailing protests, causing anarchy, says CM Devendra Fadnavis on paper leak row
Mumbai, July 21: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on opposition parties and political organisations, accusing them of hijacking the ongoing demonstrations concerning the NEET exam paper leak to further their own selfish agendas and fuel political instability.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis commented on the protests staged by the Cockroach Janata Party and veteran social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He asserted that while peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional right, it comes with inherent duties and responsibilities.
Clarifying the state’s stance on democratic rights, the Chief Minister stated that peaceful, authorised demonstrations would always receive permission. However, he drew a firm line against unauthorised gatherers resorting to violence.
“Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy, but while doing so, one must keep in mind both the rights and responsibilities bestowed by the Constitution,” CM Fadnavis said.
“Staging unauthorised protests and resorting to violence intentionally to create political instability is completely unacceptable. Necessary action must be taken against such acts,” he said.
CM Fadnavis highlighted that when protests lack clear central leadership, opportunists and bad actors often exploit the situation for personal or political gain.
He alleged that several political parties and organisations — having no real concern for the NEET exam or the students affected — have infiltrated the movement simply to incite unrest.
“When a movement is faceless and leaderless, certain elements circulate within it. They try to achieve their own selfish goals by firing from the shoulders of the protesters,” he said, adding that “Many of these individuals don’t even know what the NEET exam is or when it took place; they are merely pushing their own political agenda.”
Taking a swipe at opposition forces, CM Fadnavis added, “Political parties that have been rejected by voters in their respective states are now trying to gain political traction out of this unrest.”
Addressing the police lathi-charge on protesters at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, CM Fadnavis defended the law enforcement agencies, stating that force was necessary to prevent a larger calamity after violence broke out.
“No government ever likes using lathi-charge against its own citizens. However, looking at the chaotic situation yesterday — where police vehicles were damaged, and officers were pelted with stones — if the police had not taken control, far worse incidents would have occurred. The police showed immense restraint and acted proportionately to restore order,” CM Fadnavis explained.
He clarified that he was not smearing all protesters, acknowledging that some participated with genuine intentions. However, he maintained that fringe elements and political opportunists had derailed the cause.
Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis spoke fondly of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ahead of his birth anniversary, noting his distinct political persona, dedication, and stern yet warm leadership style.
Paying tribute at a photo exhibition organised in Pawar’s honour, CM Fadnavis also made a major policy announcement regarding agricultural relief. “To mark the birth anniversary of the beloved late Ajit Pawar, the state government is attempting to release the first list of eligible farmers under the farm loan waiver scheme tomorrow,” the Chief Minister announced.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Ruckus over Aurangzeb’s picture being hoisted during protest at Dadar Chetana Bhoomi, police ordered to investigate, 8 FIRs registered so far

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.
Maharashtra
Raj Thackeray criticises Centre over CJP protest clashes

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.
Maharashtra
There is no opposition to peaceful protests, but violence broke out during protests in Delhi, conspiracy to create unrest during protests: Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made a serious allegation and termed the violence in the peaceful protest of the CJP at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar as a political agenda. He said that behind it, many political parties are trying to gain political benefits, while many sincere people are also involved, but the way violence was unleashed in this protest is completely wrong. Stone pelting on the police and breaking vehicles is absolutely not right. Fadnavis has also supported the action of the Delhi Police and said that the police have shown patience and restraint. Regarding the protest, Devendra Fadnavis has made it clear that everyone has the right to protest in the Constitution and democracy, but no one has the right to disrupt the situation by protesting without permission. If someone protests without permission or creates violence and tension, action will be taken against him. He said that some elements have also joined the JCP protest who have nothing to do with the protest, they are only involved in their own benefit and a conspiracy to create unrest in the country. Devendra Fadnavis has said that action is taken against protest demonstrations only when they are ready for violence or are part of a conspiracy. He said that no action is taken against those who protest with permission, while everyone has the right to protest and no one can be deprived of it. Fadnavis said that in the backdrop of the JCP protest, an attempt is being made to spoil the situation, which is intolerable. He added that everyone has seen what happened in Delhi and how violence was unleashed here. Along with this, the police have also taken action against the protest demonstrations in Maharashtra and Mumbai, while Fadnavis has also supported the police action against the protesters.
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