Thackeray cousins call for Mumbai march on July 26 to back student protests
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Thursday announced a joint march in Mumbai on July 26 in support of students and members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) who have been protesting against the Union government. The protestors accuse the Narendra Modi administration of responding to dissent with force rather than dialogue.
Addressing a joint press conference, the Thackeray cousins said the march would begin at Shivaji Park and culminate at the Siddhivinayak temple. They appealed to students, parents and citizens of all political affiliations to join the rally, adding that participants would carry only the national flag.
Raj Thackeray stated that the issue had moved beyond the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, though he did not specify further demands. The CJP is a student political party that has been leading protests over alleged irregularities in education policies and exam cancellations.
The announcement marks a rare show of unity between the two cousins, who have often been at odds politically. Uddhav Thackeray leads the Shiv Sena (UBT), a constituent of the opposition INDIA bloc, while Raj Thackeray heads the MNS, which has maintained a distance from both the ruling BJP-led alliance and the opposition.
The protest comes amid heightened political tensions in Maharashtra, with opposition parties accusing the state government of curbing dissent. The July 26 march is expected to draw thousands of students and activists. Authorities have not yet commented on the planned route or security arrangements.
