Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday criticised the government over the alleged labelling of young student protesters as "cockroaches," saying such remarks reflected an attempt to suppress dissent. Drawing a historical parallel, he said even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had been derogatorily referred to as a "rat" by the Mughals.

Speaking at the launch of a book by Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Harshal Pradhan, Thackeray defended the student protesters and accused the authorities of unfairly targeting young people demanding justice.