11 October,2026 09:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
MNS leader Amit Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray staged a protest outside Shivaji Park Police Station against the detention of protesters. PIC/X
Around 300 protesters detained during a demonstration in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Mumbai on Sunday have been released, while the process of registering first information reports (FIRs) is underway, the zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) said.
The protest in Mumbai's Shivaji Park area against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar intensified on Sunday evening after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray arrived with hundreds of supporters. Their arrival triggered sporadic sit-ins and sloganeering amid a massive police deployment.
The Thackeray cousins, accompanied by party workers, gathered near the iconic ground and criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, demanding the release of those detained. Leaders and workers of the two parties staged a protest outside Shivaji Park Police Station, where most of the detainees had been taken.
Aaditya Thackeray, who was accompanied by his brother Tejas, alleged that police personnel had attacked and manhandled Shiv Sainiks, including women, outside Sena Bhavan nearby. He claimed that a woman party worker's saree was torn during the commotion.
"We have appreciated Mumbai Police several times in the past (for the way they handled protests). They are acting like the Delhi Police now. If they behave like this there will be protests everywhere. Maharashtra is not going to stop and this is because of the local police," he said.
"I am giving a call to entire Mumbai to come to Shivaji Park. This protest will not subside now. If you touch protesters, then the agitation will intensify till gaddar (Chief Election Commissioner) Gyanesh Kumar resigns," Aaditya said. He also climbed atop a police vehicle in which detained protesters were seated.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged that the BJP was afraid of peaceful protests and accused the authorities of detaining students who were demonstrating against the ruling dispensation.
Earlier, in a post on X, Aaditya had criticised the police action and offered legal assistance to those detained.
"The Mumbai Police, it seems, now is being made to take orders from the very top- the very top that is hiding behind barricades of the police force. Do let us know where all you are being taken. We are coming. Also we will stand by you legally," he said.
MNS leader Amit Thackeray also questioned the detentions and announced that his party workers would join the protest.
"From tomorrow our MNS activists will be there (to protest)," he said.
MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande alleged that an official from Shivaji Park Police and BJP workers were instigating Navratri mandal functionaries to attack CJP protesters. He further alleged that the functionaries were being promised legal support for their actions.
"What kind of democracy is this? You don't give a place for people to protest and when people come to protest you will arrest them. Is the police's job to stop riots or engineer them," Deshpande asked.
Social activist Anjali Damania was among those detained from the Shivaji Park, Worli and Dadar areas during the day.
Police officials said several people were detained even before reaching the protest site after being identified during precautionary checks conducted to maintain law and order.
Damania was intercepted near Shivaji Park and taken away in a private vehicle, officials said.
"As I reached Shivaji Park in support of CJP, police officers came in plainclothes and detained me. All the police personnel were in plain clothes, and I do not know where they are taking me," Damania told PTI.
Officials said most of those detained in the vicinity were taken to Shivaji Park Police Station, while some were shifted to nearby police stations.
A senior police official had said legal action would be taken against those assembling at Shivaji Park to protest without obtaining permission from the authorities.
The area witnessed heavy police deployment and road barricades as authorities sought to prevent unauthorised gatherings. Personnel from nearby police stations were also called in to maintain law and order.
The protest came on the first day of Navratri, one of Maharashtra's major festivals, when police deployment is typically increased to manage crowds and maintain security.
On Saturday, police had detained around 600 people at various locations across Mumbai for protesting without permission in solidarity with CJP.
The party has been protesting against alleged irregularities in voter rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
