A public disagreement has erupted between Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Priyanka Chaturvedi concerning the ongoing student-led protests in Albania, exposing contrasting views within the party regarding violent unrest and democratic structures.
In a post on social media, Raut claimed that citizens in Albania had set fire to the Supreme Court because it allegedly aided corrupt leaders. He added that the protesting public had also attacked parliament, government offices, and ministers' homes, arguing that all nations, especially India, should learn a lesson from these occurrences.
Chaturvedi immediately countered her party colleague's remarks, asserting that India does not need to learn from any foreign country. Speaking to news agency ANI, she warned against individuals taking the law into their own hands or attempting to destabilize critical institutions such as the Supreme Court and Parliament.
She further criticized those who suggest drawing inspiration from foreign demonstrations to pursue regime change, pointing to past events in Bangladesh where protests were allegedly co-opted by an Islamist movement resulting in attacks on Hindu minorities. Chaturvedi emphasized that violent regime changes have no place in a democracy and cautioned against looking to places like Albania or Paris for guidance.
The public exchange coincides with escalating anti-government demonstrations in Albania, where protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The unrest, driven by public anger over perceived corruption, unemployment, and substandard education, has led to attacks on government buildings and portions of the Supreme Court.
Authorities report that hundreds of individuals have faced criminal charges during the demonstrations, which have also resulted in numerous injuries among both police officers and protesters.