Thackeray Urges Rahul Gandhi, Opposition MPs To Join CJP Protest At Jantar Mantar

Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday extended his support to the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protests demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. He also urged environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike in New Delhi over alleged exam irregularities, citing the latter’s deteriorating health.

Thackeray said that he will go to Jantar Mantar, where CJP leaders are holding the protest since June 20, and suggested political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, to join the protest for the sake of the future of the country’s youth.

“I will also go. Rahul Gandhi ji should also go. All those who have faith in the country’s youth should go. People across the entire country should come out on the streets and support them,” Thackeray said.

“This is not a fight of just one individual. It concerns the future of lakhs of students across the country. Hence I urge MPs from all parties to participate in this protest. If there is any humanity left in BJP MPs, they too should join this agitation,” he added.

The CJP has announced a march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session. The outfit, led by US-returned Abhijeet Dipke, has called for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan due to various exam irregularities, such as the NEET-UG paper leak.

The protest was joined by Wangchuk, who is sitting on an indefinite hunger strike for over 16 days Concerns have been raised over his health, which has significantly deteriorated with a significant drop in blood pressure and a weight loss of nearly 9 kg since the fast began.

Thackeray said, “A few days ago, I spoke with Sonam Wangchuk over the phone. I requested him not to undertake a fast-unto-death, since this government does not care about anybody. He told me he wasn’t worried about his future. He insisted that the welfare of our country should come first.”

“The government is not concerned about the future of the youth. It is only interested in splitting up the opposition parties. The nation’s future is at stake, yet the government has no time to address these basic problems. Instead of respecting the wisdom of people like Sonam Wangchuk, attempts are being made to label him as anti-national. The central government continues to ignore him even after the 16th day of his fast,” he alleged.

The CLP’s protest at Jantar Mantar has entered its 24th day. Alongwith the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, the outfit has also sought ₹1 crore compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy earlier this year. A fresh NEET examination was conducted last month.

Thackeray also announced that Shiv Sena (UBT) would organise a protest in Maharashtra on July 20 in solidarity with the demonstrators in Delhi. The party’s Members of Parliament, he added, would raise the issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.