Mumbai Police Detain Activists Amid CJP Protest on October 11
Dozens, including prominent activist Anjali Damania, were detained during a protest supporting the Cockroach Janta Party in Mumbai.
Activists detained included Anjali Damania during a protest at Shivaji Park.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS leaders criticized the Maharashtra government for the police actions.
Protests were held against alleged irregularities in voter rolls and demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
On October 11, 2026, Mumbai witnessed significant unrest as police detained numerous activists, including well-known figure Anjali Damania, during a demonstration supporting the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Shivaji Park. The protest was organized to express solidarity with the CJP's ongoing campaign against alleged electoral irregularities, but police intervened, citing a lack of permission for the assembly.
The situation escalated when Damania reported being detained by plainclothes officers upon her arrival at the protest site. She expressed her confusion regarding her detention, stating that she was unaware of her destination. The police justified their actions by claiming that the protest lacked the necessary authorization, leading to the apprehension of participants.
In response to the police's heavy-handed tactics, Aaditya Thackeray, a leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), condemned the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for suppressing peaceful protests. He remarked that the police appeared to be acting under orders from higher authorities, criticizing the government's fear of dissent. Thackeray vowed to provide legal support to those detained, emphasizing the importance of standing up against such actions.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) also voiced its disapproval, with President Amit Thackeray announcing that MNS activists would join the protests in solidarity. Tensions flared outside the Shiv Sena Bhavan as party leaders, including Aaditya and Amit Thackeray, confronted police officers demanding the release of detained individuals. MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande accused police and BJP workers of inciting violence against CJP supporters, raising concerns about the integrity of democratic processes in the region.
As the unrest unfolded, authorities increased police presence in the area, erecting barricades to prevent further unauthorized protests. This crackdown follows a previous incident where approximately 600 individuals were detained across Mumbai for similar demonstrations in support of the CJP. The CJP's protests are primarily focused on demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged discrepancies in voter rolls, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding electoral integrity in Maharashtra.
