Police took him into custody before reaching August Kranti Maidan; Said-people will gather in support of the people protesting in Delhi
Mumbai Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson and social activist Tushar Gandhi was taken into custody by the Mumbai Police on Saturday. He was scheduled to hold a solidarity program at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan in support of the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) proposed protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The police detained him from Bandra area and took him to DN Nagar police station.
Tushar Gandhi said on social media that despite being detained, the proposed program at August Kranti Maidan will continue. He had appealed to the people to reach there at 3.30 in the afternoon. His organization 'Hum Bharat Ke Log' was organizing this rally.
Police's argument regarding permission for demonstration
According to Mumbai Police officials, the permission application for the proposed program was not received in the concerned police station. The police also said that under the directions of the Bombay High Court, August Kranti Maidan is not a designated venue for the protest and the option of Azad Maidan is available for such an event.
At the same time, people associated with the protest claimed that they had emailed the police for permission, but did not receive a reply. In this way, the police and the organizers have different sides regarding the permission for the program.
Rally in support of CJP's demonstration
In Delhi, the CJP had called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. In support of this, a solidarity program was also organized in Mumbai.
Apart from Tushar Gandhi, the police also detained social activist Firoz Mithiborwala. Tushar Gandhi said in his post that the police has brought him to DN Nagar police station and despite this appealed to continue the program.
Police have described this action as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order. Currently available information does not confirm any formal criminal arrest against Tushar Gandhi; The police have described it as custody.