‘Democracy or Dictatorship ?’ Shiv Sena (UBT) Hits Out at ModiGovernment Over Student Protests

• Chetan Pawar warns of street protests if student voices suppressed, Shiv Sena (UBT) Stages Protest in Pimpri-Chinchwad, demands action over exam paper leaks and police crackdown

PIMPRI : The Pimpri-Chinchwad city unit of Shiv Sena (UBT) staged a protest at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk in Pimpri on Saturday (July 25), extending support to students’ various demands and condemning the Central government’s alleged handling of student protests and examination-related issues.

The protest was led by city president Chetan Pawar and attended by former MLA Gautam Chabukswar, deputy district chief Romi Sandhu, city coordinator Kailas Nevaskar, city office secretary Dnyaneshwar Shinde and several other office-bearers and Shiv Sainiks.

Addressing the gathering, Pawar strongly criticised the Central government, alleging that it was ignoring students’ concerns instead of engaging with them and finding solutions through dialogue.

“Instead of understanding students’ demands and holding discussions with them, the Modi government is ignoring their concerns and behaving in an authoritarian manner. Environmentalist and social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been protesting for the past 20 days, was forcibly admitted to hospital. This is a blot on democracy. It raises the question whether we are living in a democracy or a dictatorship,” Pawar said.

He also condemned the alleged use of police force against students protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Pawar said Shiv Sena (UBT) strongly opposed such suppression and announced the party’s support for Sonam Wangchuk, CJP’s Abhijit Dipke and all students participating in the protests.

Referring to former Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil, Pawar said, “R.R. Patil had accepted moral responsibility and resigned from his post following his controversial remark. However, despite allegations of more than 100 incidents of competitive examination paper leaks across the country, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has not even offered his resignation. This is highly shameful.” 

He warned that Shiv Sena (UBT) would take to the streets if any attempt was made to suppress students’ protests or use force against them. Pawar also pointed out that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was among the first to extend support to the students’ movement.

Former MLA Gautam Chabukswar also targeted the Central government, alleging that question paper leaks in NEET and other competitive examinations during the Modi government’s tenure had jeopardised the future of lakhs of students.

“Lakhs of students have suffered because of paper leaks, while several families have faced immense distress. Sonam Wangchuk gave voice to this serious issue. Instead of resolving students’ problems, the government is allegedly giving priority to issues that create religious divisions in society,” Chabukswar said.

He claimed that the students’ movement had now spread beyond Maharashtra to Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country, and demanded that the Central government take responsibility for the growing public anger.

At the conclusion of the protest, Shiv Sena (UBT) demanded that the Central government immediately address students’ genuine concerns, initiate strict action against examination paper leaks and stop the alleged use of force against student protesters.