The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), in its mouthpiece Saamana, has urged the Centre to address economic and social grievances in India, drawing a comparison with the ongoing protests in France.
The editorial said the unrest in France was a warning about what could happen when public concerns over prices, wages and government policies remain unresolved. It argued that while protests have become highly visible in France, several economic and social concerns are also being raised in India.
Recent protests in France have involved students, teachers, parents and other groups, with demonstrations spreading across the country over concerns including education funding, infrastructure and wider economic pressures.
According to the Saamana editorial, rising diesel and energy prices, corruption in education, public-sector management and proposed budget measures under the government of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu have contributed to the unrest in France.
Editorial highlights economic concerns in India
The Thackeray camp said Indian households were facing their own set of economic pressures, including rising costs of essential commodities such as pulses, vegetables and medicines.
It also highlighted concerns over low wages, contractual employment without adequate job security, lack of Provident Fund benefits and limited healthcare access for workers.
The editorial referred to labour agitations in industrial areas including Noida, Greater Noida and Manesar. It claimed that some workers earning around Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 a month while working 12-hour shifts had reached a point of severe distress.
It further cited alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including paper leaks in examinations such as NEET and MPSC, as contributing to dissatisfaction among young people.
Maharashtra drought and protests cited
The editorial also pointed to the economic impact of drought in Maharashtra, claiming that the state government had been forced to raise Rs 40,000 crore through loans. It said concerns over banking stability and middle-class savings were adding to wider economic anxieties.
It also cited figures from the opposition-backed Satyagraha platform, claiming that more than 31,434 protest sites were active across India. Rahul Gandhi launched the platform earlier this month to consolidate information about issue-based protests and public grievances across the country.
Sena UBT calls for grievances to be addressed
The Saamana editorial contrasted the legal frameworks governing protests in France and India. It claimed that French trade unions operate within a recognised legal framework, while Indian governments use laws such as the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) against strikes.
The editorial concluded by warning the Centre that continued economic difficulties, rising living costs and what it described as restrictions on democratic rights could intensify public dissatisfaction.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) called for the government to address these grievances rather than allow them to build further, while its warning about a possible escalation was presented as the party mouthpiece’s assessment.
(With inputs from IANS)
