After Delhi, now Mumbai: Police shut August Kranti Maidan, detain hundreds backing CJP

The Mumbai Police have cordoned off August Kranti Maidan after protesters gathered to back the CJP’s demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. By evening, hundreds had been arrested at Nana Chowk, with the site now surrounded by three rows of barricades and over 500 police officers. Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and president of Hum Bharat Ke Log, had called for demonstrators to join him at the maidan on Friday, but was himself detained in Bandra before arriving.

Among those seized were Tushar Gandhi’s granddaughter Kasturi Gandhi, Bollywood actor Imran Khan, and Shiv Sena UBT MLA Varun Sardesai. Despite protesters arriving by 3 pm, the streets leading to the site were blocked and patrolled by police. Those detained included Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders like Sena MP Sanjay Raut, AAPDIP MLA Anil Parab, and Congress vice-president Mohsin Haider.

Police questioned the demonstrators about their identities and backgrounds, leading to injuries and scratched faces. The protest had initially hoped to coincide with the Jantar Mantar demonstration in Delhi, which was denied permission due to security concerns. Over 2,000 people were detained in Delhi, including Dipke and CJP spokespersons.