22 April,2026 03:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
AAP Mumbai president Preeti Sharma Menon. Pic/X
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of staging a "fake protest" in Mumbai and unlawfully blocking roads. The party also praised a woman who confronted BJP workers during the demonstration.
Addressing the media, AAP Mumbai president Preeti Sharma Menon questioned why the BJP was allegedly allowed to protest on city roads while other groups are restricted to designated venues such as Azad Maidan.
"When everyone is required to protest at Azad Maidan, why is the BJP allowed to block roads?" Menon asked, alleging "double standards" in the handling of political demonstrations in the city.
Menon also criticised the BJP over the Women's Reservation Bill, stating that the legislation had already been passed by consensus in 2023. She alleged that the current push for amendments is being linked to delimitation with an eye on political advantage.
According to her, the AAP has demanded immediate implementation of women's reservation without linking it to delimitation, accusing the BJP of attempting a "power grab" through proposed changes in constituency boundaries.
She further claimed that the BJP has historically failed to prioritise women's issues and described the protest as politically motivated.
Menon lauded the actions of a woman who reportedly objected to the road blockade during the protest. She said the woman stood up to BJP workers and leaders despite alleged intimidation.
"The courage shown by the woman who opposed the illegal road blockade is commendable," Menon said, adding that such incidents reflect growing public frustration over disruptions caused by political protests.
The AAP also levelled allegations against the Mumbai Police, claiming that officers present at the scene did not act against the protestors and instead attempted to intimidate the woman.
Menon demanded disciplinary action against the personnel involved, alleging that law enforcement acted under political pressure rather than in the public interest.
The incident took place in Mumbai's Worli area, where a woman stuck in heavy traffic confronted Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan, blaming him and BJP protestors for causing a major traffic snarl.
The protest was organised by the BJP over the Women's Reservation Bill, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The demonstration, aimed at targeting Opposition parties following the defeat of a related constitutional amendment, led to key roads being blocked and caused significant inconvenience to commuters.
A video of the confrontation has since gone viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions - while many users praised the woman's courage, others criticised political parties for disrupting daily life with road protests.
