Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi has reportedly been detained by Mumbai Police, according to a statement shared amid calls for a public gathering at August Kranti Maidan at 3.30 pm on Saturday.
Despite the detention, the statement asserted that the gathering would go ahead in solidarity with fellow Indians at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
CJP leaders detained ahead of Jantar Mantar protest
Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained by Delhi Police ahead of the planned protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, the party said.
In a video statement recorded aboard the aircraft carrying them to Delhi, Dipke criticised the police action, saying, “This is not something even Indira Gandhi did during Emergency; this is a worse situation than that and we are all prepared for arrest.”
Co-convenor Saurav Das alleged that the authorities were attempting to stall a constitutional movement through the use of force.
Despite the detentions and heightened security in the national capital, the party said its nationwide protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would continue, irrespective of whether its leaders were present.
CJP alleges widespread detentions
According to the party, Delhi Police personnel entered an Air India flight after it landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport and detained Dipke, Das and Ranka.
The party also claimed that social activist and influencer Dhruv Rathee was detained from his residence in Sector 56, Gurugram. CJP legal cell head Ratna Singh was allegedly detained from her Delhi residence, while party spokesperson Mehr was also reportedly picked up from her home early on Saturday.
The party further claimed that more than 1,000 volunteers, activists and citizens had been detained across the National Capital Region. It alleged that local stadiums were being used as temporary detention centres.
These figures and claims could not be independently verified at the time of publication.
Party says protest will continue
In its statement, the CJP urged young people and citizens to participate in the movement, invoking the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar.
The party maintained that its central demand remained the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amid its allegations concerning the electoral process.
