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.

Mumbai: MLA Abu Asim Azmi has hit out at the central government, supporting its aggressive stance on the paper leak scandal. He has demanded the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Azmi expressed disappointment that unlike Lal Bahadur Shastri, who voluntarily resigned after taking moral responsibility for a railway accident, this government is refusing to accept any accountability despite the suicide of several students. Azmi praised Sonam Wangchuck and said that she has started this fight for the future of students and has gone on a 20-day hunger strike to protest against the shortcomings in the country’s education system. However, he termed the Delhi Police’s actions of resorting to lathicharge and tear gas against her as extremely shameful. Recalling the words of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia – “When the streets become silent, Parliament becomes independent”, Azmi said that Parliament is not in a listening mood at the moment. At such a time, citizens have every right to peacefully take to the streets and raise their voice against injustice and the government as per the constitution given by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Alleging that democracy has ended in the country and a dictatorship-like situation has emerged, MLA Abu Asim Azmi has demanded the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the police action and ill-treatment meted out to Sonam Wangchuck and direct that cases be registered against those responsible.

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.