MUMBAI: Hours after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation following a nationwide protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the NEET exam paper leak controversy, Shiv Sena-UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray at a joint press conference on Saturday clarified that the scheduled Tiranga March on Sunday will proceed as planned.
Raj Thackeray said that the march will proceed from Shivaji Park to the Siddhivinayak Temple.
"Rather than a protest, the rally will now serve to congratulate Gen Z and the nation's youth for their successful movement."
Confirming the details for the Sunday event, the MNS Chief assured that there are no changes to the march's plan or schedule.
Protesters and supporters will gather at Shivaji Park and march together toward the Siddhivinayak Temple to celebrate the success achieved by the student-led movement.
"A Single Cockroach Brought Down the Dictator," Uddhav Thackeray said.
Extending his congratulations to youth leader and CJP founder Abhijit Dipke, young protesters, and their parents, the Shiv Sena-UBT Chief framed the outcome as a "broader victory against state high-handedness. This issue was never limited to just one resignation".
"The youth have pulled this country out of a shadow of fear. The youth have liberated this country from a decade-long atmosphere of fear and pressure. For the past 12 years, the government has subjected citizens to constant pressure—be it Demonetisation or other policies. The ruling authorities acted as if citizens no longer mattered, treating people like cockroaches. This movement delivered a fitting reply and rebuke to that arrogance," he added.
Directly targeting the administration, Uddhav Thackeray said, "A single cockroach has forced the dictator to bow down. Those who called these young people 'cockroaches' must realise that holding power should not go to their heads. This is just a glimpse of what the collective power of the nation's youth can achieve."
Highlighting the physical crackdown during the demonstrations, the Shiv Sena-UBT Chief criticised the administration's handling of student protesters and demanded answers from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
"This movement exposed a brutal and criminal face of the ruling party to the entire world. The way police cane-charged youth and used force against female protesters is condemnable," Uddhav Thackeray remarked.
"Who will file charges against these police officers? Who sent thugs in plain clothes into the protest? Will there be an investigation and action against them? Union Home Minister Amit Shah must answer whether the cases registered against these students will be withdrawn," he commented.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray in his post on X said, "Tomorrow's Tiranga March gathering is on! Come tomorrow at Shivaji Park from 10 a.m. onwards. We come together to celebrate this victory of the youth, and also to demand further answers on the brutal violence unleashed by the BJP regime on young protesters in Delhi. Beyond political parties, beyond ideological divides, this is for the nation. @abhijeet_dipke more power to you and all the young Indians that we keep fighting for our democracy and our Constitution!"
Following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, Aaditya Thackeray in another X post said, "This is the power of India! Now that the resignation has happened: Apology from the BJP regime on the brutal cane charge on young Indians. Inquiry into who ordered that cane charge. All FIRs on Indians protesting against the brutality of the regime to be withdrawn. This is important."
