Uddhav Thackeray Compares Gen Z Protesters to Historical Figures

Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), made headlines on Wednesday by condemning the derogatory term 'cockroaches' used to describe young student protesters. He drew a striking historical analogy, recalling how the Mughals once belittled the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by referring to him as a 'rat'. Thackeray emphasized that the current generation of protesters is facing similar disdain, as they are labeled in a derogatory manner by those in power. He expressed admiration for the Gen Z activists, particularly those from the satirical Cockroach Janta Party, who successfully pressured Dharmendra Pradhan to resign from his position as Union Education Minister. Thackeray passionately remarked, "Yuva Shakti has shown that democracy has lost. Today, if a stone is lifted for the right of justice, the person is called a terrorist. Those referred to as cockroaches were aged 16-17 years. Even Shivaji Maharaj was called Chuha (rat) by the Mughals. You call today's youth cockroaches! The young girl who stopped the police car is being trolled by the fanatics." These comments were made during a book launch event in Mumbai, where he highlighted the courage of the youth in standing up for their rights.

In his address, Thackeray also reflected on the legacy of his father, Balasaheb Thackeray, suggesting that had he been alive today, he would have faced similar accusations of being 'anti-Hindu' from the current government. He remarked on the challenges of publishing a book about the Thackeray family, stating, "It takes courage to publish a book on the Thackeray family. If Balasaheb Thackeray were there today, he too would have been called anti-Hindu. Religion does not make a man. I can show the words of Balasaheb Thackeray in many speeches that 'humanity is religion'." This assertion underscores Thackeray's belief that the essence of a person transcends religious labels and that the current political climate is misusing religion for power.