11 October,2026 06:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Aaditya Thackeray. File pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Sunday criticised the BJP-led government over the detention of students protesting peacefully in Mumbai, alleging that the ruling party was fearful of dissent.
In a post on X, Thackeray wrote: "The bjp is in such fear that even in Mumbai they're detaining students who are protesting peacefully but fearlessly against a regime."
He further alleged that Mumbai Police was being made to take orders from "the very top - the very top that is hiding behind barricades of the police force."
Addressing those detained, Thackeray said: "Do let us know where all you are being taken. We are coming. Also we will stand by you legally."
His remarks hours after Mumbai Police filed a first information report (FIR) on 12 named people, including Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi and actor Imran Khan, and around 300 others during a solidarity gathering at August Kranti Maidan in support of the Cockroach Janta Party's protest in Delhi. The protest in the national capital was demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Thackeray and other leaders had visited a police station following the detentions.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over detentions linked to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests, describing the agitation as a broader movement for democracy and accusing the government of suppressing dissent, news agency ANI reported.
Addressing a press conference, Raut said the protests were not limited to the CJP but represented a movement led by students and young people.
"This issue is not limited to the CJP alone; it is a revolution by students and the youth. When students across the country take to the streets, it is called a revolution," Raut said.
Comparing the government's alleged response to protests with the actions of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler during his final days, Raut claimed that opposition leaders and protesters were being targeted through detentions.
"Hitler used this same kind of behaviour in Germany during his final days. Suppressing the protest. Arresting the opposition. Keeping people locked up in the house...The agitation has not stopped. Former Chief Ministers and Members of Parliament are being detained. A regime of detention and police rule prevails in the country. One must admit that an Emergency-like situation exists in the nation," he said.
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's call for a protest in Delhi from Monday, Raut said he would travel to the national capital to join the demonstrations.
"Rahul Gandhi has called everyone to Delhi starting tomorrow, and we, too, will remain in Delhi. Whether we face arrest or police gunfire, we will stand tall and fight for democracy," he said.
Raut accused the BJP of turning India into a "Banana Republic" and alleged that people dressed in saffron had been deployed to deal with protesters. He also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the handling of the demonstrations.
"Mogambo Modi, this time, Mogambo won't be happy; this time, Mogambo will weep, flee, and go underground," Raut said.
Alleging a heavy security deployment around Shah's residence in Delhi, Raut claimed that 1.5 lakh armed police personnel had been deployed in the area, with forces summoned from Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and Assam.
He also alleged that dissent was emerging within the BJP and predicted divisions within the ruling party. Raut claimed that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi would not remain in power beyond March.
Raut further criticised the detention of Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson, during the protests in Mumbai, calling the incident shameful and demanding an apology from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
"Tushar Gandhi cannot be kept in a lockup. The claim that he was being taken for a medical checkup is false," Raut said, alleging that Gandhi had been taken away through a back exit and transported to Borivali instead of Santacruz.
Raut also accused the Centre of failing to address concerns over the detentions in Delhi and questioned the security arrangements around the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
(With ANI inputs)
