NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said that changing one person will not suffice as the entire government needs to be replaced.
“There are two years left until the elections, so you have plenty of time. This is just the beginning. The entire government will have to be changed; removing just one person will not work. Until the government changes, there will be no change in your lives. Stand firm in Delhi. The fire of this movement must not die down across the country,” he stated while addressing protesting students at Jantar Mantar.
After he arrived in the national capital, Thackeray went straight from the airport to Jantar Mantar.
During his visit, Thackeray, accompanied by party MPs Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai, met Abhijit Deepke, founder of the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’, and other student protesters, expressing his firm resolve to fight the battle to the end. Addressing the crowd from the stage, Thackeray said, “I have come here to bow down to the youth power. This spark will not be extinguished.”
Taking an indirect swipe at Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant, he remarked, “For the first time since independence, we are witnessing a government unleashing batons on our future. You are not just the youth; you are the future of this country. I am grateful to those who ignited this spark — those who were the first to use the word ‘cockroach’. This country was not built by cockroaches.”
“I would first like to thank that ‘distinguished’ personality who referred to you as ‘cockroaches’,” Thackeray said, taking a sharp dig at political opponents.
Drawing parallels to the freedom struggle, Thackeray said, “If the youth hadn’t sacrificed back then, we wouldn’t be witnessing independence today. The British considered them terrorists. Are those who view protesters as terrorists from abroad? You have seen how ruthlessly this government is behaving.” He added, “I wonder if those who are calling you terrorists today have themselves come from abroad.”
On lathi-charge incidents, he said, “You were brutally beaten yesterday. Some thugs were lathi-charging you. A photo of one such attacker is now viral as ‘wanted’, keep sharing it widely.”
Thackeray expressed confidence in the youth, warning the ruling administration, “Those sitting in power today seem unaware that many among you will occupy those very seats in the future. They fail to realise that the nation’s future is standing right before me.”
He encouraged students to keep documenting the event using their phones, adding, “It’s a good thing you all have mobile phones in your hands. Some goons were wielding sticks; one of their photos went viral; keep sharing it like that. Tomorrow, one of you will be sitting in that chair of power.”
Thackeray commended Abhijit Deepke for stepping up to lead the movement. “Abhijit deserves praise for taking the initiative. He was living comfortably in the US and didn’t need to do this. But he couldn’t stand by and watch this happen, which is why he returned.”
He further said, “Abhijit came back because injustice is taking place in my country and so many students have committed suicide. Keep the song ‘Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani’ in your hearts. Remember those who lost their lives due to NEET exam paper leaks.”
“In an independent nation, students are committing suicide due to paper leaks. We must honour their memory,” he noted.
Concluding his speech, Thackeray pledged Maharashtra’s full support to the protest. “Maharashtra stands with you. I am proud that a youth from Maharashtra is leading this movement. I have come here to both offer courage and draw strength from you. I bow to the bravery you showed yesterday. Perhaps the walls that sought to divide this country for years have finally broken. The nation shares a single sentiment: One Nation, One Emotion. We are with you until the very end and will fight together.”
Speaking to the media later, Thackeray heavily criticised the crackdown on students. “I came to meet Abhijit and everyone today. I have supported this movement from day one. I never expected the government to handle the protest the way it did yesterday. These youngsters are our future and our destiny-makers. It makes me wonder if these rulers have come from Pakistan.”
Previously, Thackeray had extended his support by organising a rally in Mumbai on Sunday in favour of Sonam Wangchuk, Abhijit Deepke and the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ initiative. Following his Delhi address, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief is scheduled to hold a comprehensive press conference tomorrow at MP Sanjay Raut’s Delhi residence to outline his party’s future course of action.
--IANS
