‘Even the British were better’: Uddhav Thackeray slams Centre over crackdown on CJP protests

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray criticised the Centre's response to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests, saying the British were better. The comments came after his visit to students protesting at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak.

What happened

The Indian Express reported that Thackeray said the Centre should have engaged with NEET protesters earlier instead of responding with force. He said his party had supported the agitation from the start.

Before leaving Delhi, Thackeray spoke by phone with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Shiv Sena (UBT) sources said they discussed the Jantar Mantar student agitation, the alleged NEET paper leak and Gandhi's detention during Tuesday's Opposition protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence.

What we can verify

• Thackeray visited the Jantar Mantar protest site on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
• He said his party had supported the agitation from its first day.
• He said Sonam Wangchuk, Abhijeet Dipke and students had approached him earlier.
• He spoke with Rahul Gandhi before leaving Delhi.

What remains unverified

• The exact strategy Opposition parties may coordinate during Parliament's Monsoon Session remains unverified.
• This report does not independently establish the scale of the protest or details of any police action beyond the source's description of a crackdown.

Sources

• The Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/even-the-british-were-better-uddhav-attacks-centre-over-police-crackdown-on-cjp-protests-10798310