Uddhav-Raj announce protest march against NEET leak, police action on July 26 in Mumbai

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray jointly announced a protest march in Mumbai scheduled for July 26. Addressing a joint press conference, the leaders stated that the demonstration aims to convey the anger of students and parents regarding the NEET paper leak controversy and alleged police brutality during recent demonstrations. Uddhav Thackeray confirmed that he consulted Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and leaders from the Maharashtra Congress will also join the march.

The scheduled protest route will commence at Shivaji Park and terminate at the Siddhivinayak Temple. MNS chief Raj Thackeray clarified that no political party flags will be displayed during the rally, framing it as a non-partisan stand for student welfare. He further issued a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt the peaceful rally, stating that the central government has been pushed onto the back foot due to the expanding scale of student agitations across the country.

The announcement follows escalating nationwide student demonstrations organized in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party-led protests in New Delhi. Recent clashes between student marchers and Delhi Police on Parliament Street during the opening days of the Monsoon Session have sparked widespread backlash from various political parties. Opposition groups in Maharashtra are now consolidating their support to demand accountability for exam irregularities and police actions.