Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray on Friday joined the Tiranga Rally in Mumbai's Dadar to express support for students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak.
The rally, attended by party workers, students and supporters, saw people holding the Indian national flag during a march through Dadar. The rally was organized in order to stand in solidarity with students who have been protesting the national-level medical entrance examination’s failure and to call for accountability and reform.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray and MNS leader Amit Thackeray hold a Tiranga Rally in Dadar in support of students protesting over the NEET paper leak issue
— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2026
(Video Source: Shiv Sena (UBT) pic.twitter.com/nxQCXo0oFD
Images from the rally showed Aaditya Thackeray and Amit Thackeray walking alongside the participants who raised slogans and carried the Tricolour during the march. Police officers were in the area to ensure that the event remained peaceful and traffic flow was maintained.
The demonstration comes in the midst of an ongoing political debate over alleged irregularities in competitive exams. Student groups and several opposition parties have been seeking more transparency, accountability and changes in the examination system to restore confidence among aspirants.
They told supporters at the event that they were all for students’ education and should not allow the future of young people who are about to face competitive examinations to be compromised.
The presence of leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS inspired local media to write about the rally as a movement in support of students despite the fact that the parties have their divergent political orientations. The event added a Maharashtra flavour to an issue that has led to protests and political reactions in various states.
The NEET is one of the most discussed political issues in the country, repeatedly discussed in Parliament and political leaders’ speeches and before the Supreme Court. Students have also been organising demonstrations to bring about reforms and accountability.
The Central Government has said investigations are ongoing into alleged examination irregularities and that it is committed to the integrity of examinations. It has also said that legal action will be taken against those found responsible and that institutional reforms will be part of efforts to improve the quality of examinations.
Political responses are still coming: leaders of other parties have been trying to make the case for accountability and the government’s response. Meanwhile, the authorities have said all demonstrations should be peaceful and conducted in accordance with the law.
The Tiranga Rally in Dadar ended peacefully with students reaffirming their support for students and demanding that the examination system be fair, transparent and credible. The government is now doing everything it can to respond, and the courts and the wider discussion on reforms of India’s exam system.
