A massive turnout was witnessed at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Sunday as thousands of supporters, students and youth participated in the ‘Tiranga Victory March’ jointly led by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray. The rally was organised a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid the controversy surrounding the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.
Large Crowds Gather at Shivaji Park
Supporters carrying the national flag assembled in large numbers near Vasant Desai Chowk before the march commenced. Visuals from the venue showed roads packed with participants as the Thackeray cousins led the procession through central Mumbai, with the event drawing significant public attention.
The march was planned to begin from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park in Dadar and conclude at the Siddhivinayak Temple, where organisers said it would end with the singing of the national anthem.
Heavy Security and Traffic Diversions in Place
In anticipation of the large gathering, Mumbai Police deployed additional personnel across the route and introduced special traffic arrangements to ensure smooth movement and maintain law and order throughout the event.
The rally came less than 24 hours after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Union Education Minister following weeks of nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. The Centre later handed the additional charge of the Education Ministry to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.
Leaders Hail Student Movement
Addressing supporters during the march, Raj Thackeray paid tribute to students who lost their lives during the controversy and praised the younger generation for sustaining the nationwide agitation.
“The success of the students’ protest has proved that Gen Z can challenge the government,” Raj Thackeray said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also addressed the gathering, describing the movement as a demonstration of the growing influence of young people in shaping national politics.
“A dictator and a dictatorship have been shaken by the youth. This is the power of youth, this is the new India. The shift from ‘Mantri Pradhan’ to ‘Pradhan Mantri’ is a very short time now. People are upset about Nitin Gadkari’s ways of imposing ethanol on them and also upset about the statements Nirmala Sitharaman makes. This generation will now ask questions,” Aaditya Thackeray said.
Students Celebrate Outcome of Protest
Many students and supporters attending the rally described the event as a celebration of what they believed was a successful democratic movement.
“The students had been protesting for a long time because they felt the process was unfair. Now that the issue has reached its conclusion and they have achieved success, we have come here to celebrate,” one participant said.
Another supporter said the protests had demonstrated the importance of public accountability.
“The government was not answering these questions. It was not afraid of being questioned, but this movement has taught it that people will hold it accountable. We will continue to raise questions on every issue,” the supporter said.
The Victory March concluded with participants carrying the Tricolour through Mumbai’s streets, with organisers describing the event as a tribute to the student movement and a celebration of what they called the power of peaceful democratic protest.
