Modi has time for ‘traitors’ but not protesting youth, says Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for meeting six MPs who recently joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, accusing him of engaging with “traitors” while ignoring young people protesting across the country.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Thackeray questioned the timing of the interaction and asked whether it was intended to influence or intimidate the Supreme Court, which is hearing petitions connected to the split in the Shiv Sena.

“The Prime Minister does not have time to meet the youth, but he meets the traitors. The traitors are being assured that the Prime Minister is supporting them. Are you trying to intimidate the Supreme Court?” Thackeray asked.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has challenged the Election Commission’s decision to recognise the Shinde-led faction as the “real Shiv Sena”. It has also moved the Supreme Court against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s recognition of the six MPs as members of the Shinde faction.

Thackeray said the matter remained under judicial consideration and questioned the purpose of Modi’s meeting with the MPs at such a time. He added that his party would raise the interaction before the Supreme Court.

“Is the Prime Minister threatening the judiciary, Union Home Minister Amit Shah or Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis?” he asked.

Despite raising concerns over the meeting, Thackeray expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would decide the dispute in accordance with the Constitution.

Modi held a breakfast meeting with MPs from the National Democratic Alliance’s constituent parties on Friday. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the six MPs who crossed over from the Shiv Sena (UBT) subsequently met the Prime Minister.

Turning to the recent youth-led protests, Thackeray accused the Centre of failing to engage with the country’s younger generation. He said the demonstrations had unsettled the government and described the prevailing political situation as the “calm before the storm”.

Referring to the police response during the Cockroach Janta Party’s Parliament march, the former Maharashtra chief minister alleged that protesters had been subjected to excessive force instead of being heard.

“The world is discussing how Gen Z forced the government to kneel. Instead of supporting this generation, some protesters were brutally assaulted,” he said, adding that the time had come for a change in government.

Thackeray also took a swipe at Modi’s use of social media to communicate with young people. Recalling the criticism he faced for addressing the public through Facebook Live broadcasts during the COVID-19 pandemic, he claimed that the Prime Minister was now attempting to govern through Instagram.

“The Prime Minister does not want to meet the future of the country,” he said.

Referring to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s recent interaction with Gen Z, Thackeray claimed that young people were unwilling to listen to the organisation’s leadership.

He also commented on the continuing student agitation in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, urging the Jharkhand government to hold talks with the protesters and address their concerns.

With agency inputs