Mumbai Police on Monday, July 20, registered three First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with a protest held at Shivaji Park in Dadar. The demonstration, organised by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, drew a large crowd and led to multiple legal complaints on Sunday, July 19.
According to the police, the first FIR was filed because the protest was allegedly conducted without prior permission. The second case concerns allegations that people were encouraged to gather despite the lack of official approval. The third FIR relates to student-led demonstrations that continued in different parts of Dadar after the main event concluded, reportedly causing severe traffic congestion and disruption.
Police officials clarified that no arrests have been made in connection with any of the three FIRs so far.
The protest saw participation from hundreds of college students, civil society representatives and members of various political parties. Demonstrators expressed solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was shifted to a hospital from Jantar Mantar after his health reportedly deteriorated during his protest.
Reports said the organisers had initially sought permission to hold the demonstration at Azad Maidan and other locations in Mumbai. After those requests were denied, the gathering was shifted to Shivaji Park.
Amid nationwide protests, Uddhav Thackeray extended his support to the movement at Jantar Mantar. Addressing the crowd, he said that the issue had gone beyond calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
“I recently saw a poster demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. But his resignation is a small issue. Now there should be a fight to change the government. This is not just a fight for Sonam Wangchuk,” Thackeray said at the event.
Videos shared on social media showed protesters carrying placards demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and calling for accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak.