“Shiv Sena (UBT) Will Fight Student Protest Cases Free of Cost,” Says Aaditya Thackeray

July 28, 2026

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday announced that his party would provide free legal assistance to students facing police cases over the nationwide CJP protests, alleging that governments led by the BJP were targeting young protesters instead of addressing their concerns over examination irregularities.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Thackeray said students who receive police notices can approach Shiv Sena (UBT), adding that a team of lawyers is ready to represent them without charging any fee.

Thackeray Demands Withdrawal of FIRs

Thackeray claimed that students across several cities had taken to the streets to protest alleged irregularities in examinations and questioned why criminal cases were still being pursued despite earlier assurances.

He urged state governments to withdraw FIRs registered against students and said the party had already helped secure the release of several detained protesters. According to him, lawyers associated with Shiv Sena (UBT) would fight such cases on a pro bono basis.

Raises Questions Over MH-CET, Alleges Excessive Force

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the Maharashtra government over the MH-CET examination process, asking whether there had been any irregularities and expressing concern about the impact on students during the admission season.

He further alleged that excessive force had been used against protesters and accused the government of attempting to suppress content related to the demonstrations on social media.

Supreme Court Grants Relief to Student Protesters

Thackeray’s remarks came on the same day the Supreme Court directed all states to release detained students below 18 years of age who have no criminal antecedents. The apex court also ordered that no coercive action be taken against eligible students for the time being, while allowing investigations into the registered FIRs to continue in accordance with the law. The court also directed authorities to preserve electronic evidence related to the protests and observed that the allegations raised before it warranted an independent and impartial probe.