Tushar Gandhi, Imran Khan among hundreds detained in Mumbai CJP protest

Police detained more than 200 people in Mumbai on Saturday (October 10), including Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson and activist Tushar Gandhi, who was finally released after almost eight hours. The police also detained members of his organisation “Hum Bharat Ke Log” and supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for protesting at the August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party's demonstration in New Delhi, an official said.

They were detained for protesting without permission, and the process of registering an FIR against them was underway, he said.

In a separate action, several workers of the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) were detained while demonstrating near Hutatma Chowk in south Mumbai to back the CJP, said officials.

One of the protesters, Rubaid Bhojani, alleged that the police took the protesters into custody "very brutally".

"We voted for the Prime Minister, but he betrayed us. We demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation," Bhojani said.

Tushar Gandhi detained by police

Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, was picked up from Bandra and taken to DN Nagar police station in the morning.

Gandhi had shared a poster in a post on X, urging citizens to join a protest gathering at August Kranti Maidan at 3.30 pm.

Also Read: Huge protests in Delhi, Mumbai demanding CEC's ouster; nearly 700 detained in Capital

After being detained, Gandhi said, “We will continue our protest despite detention. We appeal to everyone to reach August Kranti Maidan this afternoon."

“This is a mark of slavery, one day these too will be held accountable!” said Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson.

‘We are not afraid at all’: Tushar's daughter Kasturi

Reacting to her father’s detention by the police, Tushar Gandhi's daughter Kasturi Gandhi told journalists, "We are not afraid at all. We protested in solidarity. What is happening with all the leaders, what is happening with the students, what is happening with the first-time protesters, this is what happened with my father. Maybe it will happen with me too. There is no fear of that. The police are doing their job. There is pressure on them too. We are questioning that pressure. Why are our country's Prime Minister and Home Minister doing this? Why has this matter reached here? This is my question, a very simple question..."

Also Read: CJP protest: Four former CMs among Opposition leaders detained in Delhi

Kasturi Gandhi in a post on X wrote, “I don’t post this in fear. We are not afraid. This is to show how the battle of right against might in 2026 is being countered by a “democracy”.

In another post on X, Kasturi Gandhi wrote that her father was followed and taken to DN Nagar Police Station. “Listen to the testimony of the driver who saw the state apparatus pick up a 66-year-old unarmed descendant of India’s founders,” she said.

“Bring my medicine. If you can send or bring my afternoon and evening medication. Aspirin, Clopilet, and Revalol. I am detained under section 68,” Tushar Gandhi sent a text message to his daughter from detention.

‘Such fear this regime has’: Aaditya Thackeray

A large number of people gathered outside DN Nagar Police Station where Tushar Gandhi was taken to. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray and other leaders of his party also visited the police station in support of Gandhi.

Aaditya Thackeray said, "We are now witnessing this on the streets, and the same situation can be seen across the country. Tushar Gandhi was brought here as well, but as soon as we left to come to the DN Nagar Police Station, the police took him away from here. The police should release Tushar Gandhi before the situation on the streets deteriorates further..."

In a post on X, Thackeray wrote, “Realising that all of us are on the way to support @TusharGji, the police have secretly shifted out Tushar ji to another police station. Such fear this regime has! This is the police state vs the people of India! Shame on the bjp regime that’s so scared of the citizens of India!”

Also Read: ‘Undeclared Emergency’: Opposition leaders slam Modi govt over detentions in Delhi

Responding to a post on X about Mamata Banerjee and other TMC leaders being detained by the police, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA said, “The regime still doesn’t have the guts to call this an Emergency.”

Aaditya Thackeray posted again in response to a post by Purva Chitnis about the Mumbai Police using force against protesters, “The more the brute force used by this anti-India regime of bjp, the more the country will erupt in protest! Vote Chor, Gaddi Chod!”

“What a shame! And so much fear in the minds of the regime. We truly are the world’s largest Former democracy, but we shall reclaim our democracy!!” Thackeray said.

Imran Khan, Lekha Washington detained

Actor Imran Khan and his girlfriend Lekha Washington were among the people detained in Mumbai on Saturday.

Before being detained, Imran told ANI that he had joined the protest as a citizen and was not representing any organisation.

“I don't have demands. I am here as a citizen, as someone who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted — why people's voices are being suppressed,” he said.

Zayn Marie, who was detained alongside her cousin Imran, later shared a video from inside a police van. Her caption read, “Ranjhore Ka Rathod??? sooo close”, referring to Imran’s character Jay Singh Rathore in his debut film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. The film features a memorable jail sequence involving his character.

Also Read: SIR row, CJP’s rise, Delhi crackdown: How global media reported anti-CEC protests

Activist Feeroz Mithiborwala was also taken into custody from his residence and shifted to the MIDC police station.

Meanwhile, additional police personnel, including women officers, were deployed at the Shivaji Park in Dadar to prevent CJP members from staging a demonstration.

Security was also stepped up at other locations across Mumbai.

Authorities maintained that August Kranti Maidan is not designated as a protest site in accordance with a Bombay High Court order, prompting preventive action to maintain law and order.

(With agency inputs)