Uddhav and Raj Thackeray Lead Mumbai Victory Rally After Education Minister Resigns

Dharmendra Pradhan resignation Shivaji Park rally NEET‑UG paper leak Uddhav Thackeray Raj Thackeray

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down on July 25, 2026 after weeks of nationwide student protests over alleged NEET‑UG paper‑leak irregularities. The resignation triggered a massive rally in Mumbai the following day.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray jointly organised the “Tiranga Victory March” at Shivaji Park in Dadar. Thousands of youth, students and party supporters gathered, waving the national flag and chanting slogans. The procession moved from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park to the Siddhivinayak Temple, with additional police personnel and special traffic diversions put in place to manage the crowd.

Speakers praised the student movement, remembered the 21 youngsters who died after the NEET controversy, and blamed the central government for the leak. Uddhav Thackeray used the platform to attack Union Minister Nitin Gadkari over the E20 ethanol‑fuel policy and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the issue. Raj Thackeray lauded Maharashtra police and contrasted them with Delhi police. Other leaders, including Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant and several NCP figures, addressed the crowd, calling the protest a demonstration of youth power and a demand for accountability.

Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, commented that she wanted her husband to stay in Maharashtra, linking her statement to the rally’s celebration of the minister’s resignation.

Entities: Aaditya Thackeray · Dharmendra Pradhan · Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) · Narendra Modi · Raj Thackeray · Shiv Sena (UBT) · Uddhav Thackeray

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Uddhav Thackeray criticised Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and highlighted the ethanol‑E20 fuel issue.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Raj Thackeray praised the Maharashtra police and contrasted it with Delhi police.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Amruta Fadnavis said she wants husband Devendra Fadnavis to stay in Maharashtra. (article)
[● 5 SOURCES] Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister after a NEET‑UG paper‑leak controversy.
[● 5 SOURCES] Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray led a rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on July 26, 2026.
[● 5 SOURCES] Thousands of participants gathered, carrying the Indian flag and chanting slogans.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said youth protests forced the Centre to 'bow down'.
[● 3 SOURCES] Mumbai police deployed additional personnel and set up traffic arrangements for the rally.
[● 4 SOURCES] The rally was jointly organized by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray. (multiple articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] Raj Thackeray paid tribute to 21 students who died following the NEET‑UG paper‑leak controversy. (multiple articles)
[● 4 SOURCES] Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on July 25, 2026. (multiple articles)
[● 5 SOURCES] A joint rally was held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on July 26, 2026. (multiple articles)