Shiv Sena (UBT) leads massive protest in Mumbai to press for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

Holding tricolours and placards in their hands, thousands of protesters gathered in central Mumbai's Dadar area under the banner of Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

During the 'Tiranga Morcha', organised by the Uddhav Thackeray-led party at the Shivaji Park, its leader Aaditya Thackeray said he called Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, urging him not to return home in Maharashtra until Pradhan steps down from his position.

Speaking at the gathering, Uddhav Thackeray said while the government has the power of 'lathis', the protesters have 'tirangas' (tricolours) in their hands.


The agitation was held amid the ongoing protests led by the CJP in Delhi, Mumbai and other parts of the country over exam irregularities. In Delhi, the agitation turned violent with security personnel using baton charges, tear gas, and making multiple detentions.

At Shivaji Park, the participants raised slogans of "Azaadi (freedom) from dictatorship and paper leaks" with 'Vande Materam' being played in the background. Some of the protesters carried the posters of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and chief architect of the Constitution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Uddhav Thackeray said those in power should see the number of people who have turned up for the protest.

"This is 'jan ki baat' (voice of people) and Delhi has to listen to it. The way students were attacked, tear-gassed, I am cautioning the government - you can have lathis, but we have tirangas. Let's see who wins - those with tirangas or lathis," the former Maharashtra chief minister said.

Aaditya said although activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk has ended its indefinite hunger strike, the protest will continue.

"Dharmendra Pradhan must resign," he said.

He also said that he had asked Dipke not to return home in Maharashtra until Pradhan resigns.

He urged the youth to freely hold protests at the Shivaji Park irrespective of the police detaining several protesters days ago.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Sena (UBT) MLA said whenever the PM gets scared, he talks about Hindu-Muslims and religion.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray, son of party leader Raj Thackeray, said the government was on the backfoot due to the GenZ protests.

Actor Arya Babbar also took part in the protest.