The July 20 police action involving baton charges and tear gas against demonstrators in Delhi has drawn reactions from political figures who gathered at Jantar Mantar to back students and Cockroach Janta Party supporters. In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray criticized the central government, describing those in authority as arrogant. He had spoken with students the previous day who were protesting the reported NEET paper leak. Thackeray stated that authorities should have held discussions with the demonstrators earlier rather than resorting to force. He remarked that imposing decisions without listening to citizens does not reflect democratic practice, adding that some people now view British rule more favorably. Those holding power have grown arrogant, he said, but the public will soon end that attitude. He referenced earlier instances, including Indira Gandhi meeting agitators in Ladakh and the UPA administration assigning then minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to negotiate with Anna Hazare during the anti-corruption campaign.
