Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday called for dialogue between the government and protesting students while urging opposition parties to remain united on the issue. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Thackeray criticised the BJP-led Union government's handling of the ongoing agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and said democratic disputes should be resolved through communication rather than confrontation.

Thackeray, who visited Jantar Mantar on Tuesday evening to meet CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, questioned why the government had not initiated talks with the protesting students. He said that when young people raise concerns through protests, it is the government's responsibility to engage with them and address their grievances. According to him, early dialogue could have prevented the situation from escalating over the past month.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader cited previous examples of governments engaging with protesters to resolve conflicts. He referred to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's interaction with the family of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk during a hunger strike in Leh and the UPA government's decision to send then Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh for discussions with activist Anna Hazare during the anti-corruption movement. Thackeray argued that dialogue remains an important tool in a democracy, even during disagreements.

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Thackeray also criticised the police action against protesters during Monday's demonstration, alleging that women and young participants were mistreated. He questioned whether such actions reflected Indian cultural values and demanded accountability over the handling of the agitation. The BJP-led government has faced criticism from opposition parties over the response to the protests, while authorities have maintained their position regarding law and order measures.

Calling for greater coordination among opposition parties, Thackeray said political groups should also communicate with each other while supporting issues concerning young people. His remarks came after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the Congress of acting as the BJP's "B-Team" and alleged that a protest outside the Prime Minister's residence was aimed at overshadowing the CJP agitation. Thackeray said opposition unity was necessary and that parties should focus on supporting the concerns of the youth.

Later, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal met Thackeray at the residence of Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. Thackeray reiterated that he had supported the students' movement from the beginning and warned that suppressing youth voices could deepen public dissatisfaction. He said young people represent the country's future and that addressing their concerns through dialogue was essential for maintaining democratic trust.

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