Shiv Sena (UBT) terms Delhi protests ‘start of revolution’

Mumbai: Targeting the Centre over its crackdown on protesters demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Tuesday said the ongoing agitation marks the beginning of a revolution, with “millions of cockroaches” taking a decisive step.

In an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of protecting “corrupt and incompetent” ministers, alleging that he was “committing treason” and ruining the country.

“That is why millions of ‘cockroaches’ are storming Parliament and demanding Modi’s resignation. This is the beginning of a revolution. Millions of cockroaches are taking a step toward revolution,” the editorial said.

Thousands of protesters on Monday joined ‘sansad chalo’ march of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against alleged irregularities in various exams towards Parliament on Monday, fought pitched battles with police, who responded with lathicharge and firing of tear gas shells.

The editorial claimed that the Prime Minister was unwilling to accept responsibility and questioned why Pradhan continued to enjoy the government’s support.

“Who exactly is Dharmendra Pradhan that he should be protected so much? Whoever he may be, he has ruined the lives of Indian youth. The responsibility for the leaking of the NEET examination papers rests on Pradhan’s shoulders, and he should be punished for it,” it said.

The editorial also targeted other Union ministers, alleging that PM Modi had not sought the resignation of Hardeep Singh Puri over his alleged links to the “Epstein” case, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman despite claims that she had “ruined” the economy, or Defence Minister Rajnath Singh despite allegations that China had encroached on Indian territory in Ladakh.

It further claimed that while the children of Union ministers are studying at universities abroad and securing well-paying jobs, “millions of unemployed cockroaches” have now become a source of concern for those in power and disturbed their sleep.

According to the editorial, public anger spread against Modi across the country, with young people from several states taking to the streets. It said slogans such as “Tanashahi nahi chalegi” (Dictatorship will not be tolerated) and “Modi satta chhodo” (Modi should quit power) were being raised during the protests.

The Saamana said if people had overcome fear and chosen to protest fearlessly, the government’s jails would prove insufficient to contain them and incidents of firing would increase. It added that an atmosphere of widespread public anger had taken hold across the country.

Referring to activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite fast, the editorial alleged that the government initially believed his protest could be crushed within five minutes. However, after his fast continued for 20 days and he remained determined to sacrifice himself, it panicked and shifted him to a hospital.

Wangchuk’s detention fuelled public discontent, with “millions of ‘cockroaches'” gathering at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, it added.