Thousands carrying the Tricolour gathered at Shivaji Park as patriotic songs filled the air while Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray addressed the massive Tiranga Vijay Rally.
The rally, attended by thousands of youngsters and people from different age groups, backed the student movement demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
The rally came a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid mounting criticism over the NEET-UG controversy.
Uddhav Thackeray Targets Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Uddhav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to stop “breaking political parties” and concentrate on governance.
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He urged the Prime Minister to focus on governing the country instead of engineering defections and splits in Opposition parties.
Taking a swipe at the Union government, he said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was not speaking about inflation or the falling rupee but instead defending the government over the paper leak controversy.
Uddhav said the rally was not an electoral victory celebration but a demonstration of the youth movement.
“It is proof that patriots have defeated blind followers. The fire of this agitation has now spread across the country,” he said.
He also criticised the Centre over the alleged hardships faced by families of students who died by suicide following the examination controversy.
“The pain suffered by the families of students who died after the NEET paper leak is far greater than the pain felt while removing a favourite minister from the Cabinet,” he said.
Raj Thackeray Praises Youth-Led Agitation
Raj Thackeray hailed the youth-led agitation over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and congratulated the youth for forcing the government to respond.
“We have gathered here to celebrate the success of the movement that you ignited across the country. This agitation has shown how Gen Z can pull down the government’s arrogance,” he said.
Rally Witnesses Massive Participation
The rally began at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan in Shivaji Park and proceeded towards the Siddhivinayak Temple.
Thousands carrying the Tricolour participated, while leaders from the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) attended. Aaditya Thackeray, Amit Thackeray and NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar were among those present.
The rally highlighted Opposition unity and sustained public support for students seeking transparency, accountability and reforms in competitive examination processes nationwide.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Responds
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday claimed that people have defeated the Opposition’s alleged attempt to use students’ protests to create unrest in the country, hours after Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray led a march to celebrate Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Shinde said action had been taken against 47 officials connected with the National Testing Agency. The accused have been arrested, and a CBI investigation is underway.
“No one will be spared,” Shinde said.
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