Mumbai Police detain 50 protesters at Dadar over support for 'Chalo Sansad' march

Police officers attempt to detain a protester at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar West on Monday evening. PIC/SHADAB KHAN

About 50 protesters who had come to Chaityabhoomi in Dadar West on Monday in a show of support for those participating in the ‘Chalo Sansad' march called by the Cockroach Janata Party in New Delhi were detained by the Mumbai Police around 4 pm, while about 500 police personnel blocked every route leading towards the Dadar beach.

The protest was organised by the Mumbai unit of the All India Students' Federation, which has been seeking reform in the education system. Advocate Samya Korde, the organiser of the protest, was placed under house arrest by the police at her residence in Sion. Madhendra Pandit, deputy commissioner of police, Zone V, told mid-day that protesters were being detained as they lacked permission to carry out the agitation.

Shanti Kasi Vishwanathan, Dadar West resident who witnessed protest at Chaityabhoomi

The police had been at the spot since 10 am, and Dadar residents said they were being inconvenienced by their heavy presence, as many locals were mistaken for protesters and were almost detained. The exact number of detainees was yet to be revealed by the Mumbai Police on Monday evening.

‘I am proud of the youth'

Chaotic scenes involving police personnel and protesters, which unfolded at the agitation held at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar West on Monday. PIC/SHADAB KHAN

Shanti Kasi Vishwanathan, who lives about a kilometre away from the protest site, said police personnel had told her to go away on seeing her shooting pictures and videos of protesters. "I was just curious and had no intention of joining the protest, but the police personnel didn't stop shooing me away, even after I told them that I wasn't doing anything wrong."

While many protesters were disheartened by the police's actions, Vishwanathan said, "I understand that they are only doing their job. They have orders from their seniors not to let the protesters gather, but they are detaining kids, which is saddening."

Vishwanathan added, "We often hear the youth being called irresponsible and irritating, but this is the first time the youth themselves have used the word ‘cockroach' as a weapon and are refusing to back down. I am proud of them."

‘Cause resonates deeply with me'

Esha Shah, who was calmly standing away from the crowd of fellow protesters to avoid being detained, said, "I am not here in support of any party, even CJP for that matter. I am here only because the cause is something I resonate with. I don't know why the authorities have been detaining people, and I hope this doesn't affect the morale of those who are protesting for the right thing, which is a better education system for all."

‘Cops were kind'

Speaking via phone from the Worli police station, Manjusha Pillai, the sister of Shruti Menon, who was detained from the protest site in Dadar along with nine other women and a 10-year-old girl, said, "The police have behaved kindly with us, but we still back the protest because it relates to the future of our children."

‘I'm here for my five-year-old'

A protester, requesting anonymity, said, "I came here after informing my employers that I had to attend the protest. I am here for my five-year-old child. I do not want her to suffer due to the incompetence of this education system, which must change. The authorities must heed our demands because all we want is a better India for our kids."

Mother and child detained

Sandhya Panaskar, who was questioned by the police, said, "When I reached the site, I saw that the police were detaining people. I didn't even head towards Chaityabhoomi. I was just about to call my other activist friends when the questioning started."

Panaskar, who had visited the spot with her 11-year-old boy, said, "The officers asked me why I was here and told me not to stand around. When I told them I wouldn't budge, they told me to get into the van. I didn't want to do that since my child was with me."

Panaskar alleged that police officers guided her into the van after placing their hands on her shoulder. "I didn't want them to touch me, but they did, claiming that it was for my own protection. I don't want any protection from them or the authorities when they have failed to protect the future of our kids. I have been going to protests for the past 20 years and have never seen the police detain a mother and her child. My kid was terrified. I complied so that my child did not get hurt in any way."

Panaskar and Pillai were both detained at the Worli police station from 4 pm along with Panaskar's son and Pillai's sister and niece. Around 7.55 pm, they were allowed to leave.

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