Mumbai: Aaditya Thackeray's silent protest at Shivaji Park draws Gen-Z, demands Gyanesh Kumar's exit

The silent protest organised by Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray at Shivaji Park in Dadar between 4 pm and 7 pm on Monday received a good response with several GenZ participants joining the demonstration to push for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh KumarAround 5 pm people began gathering near the Meenatai Thackeray statue outside the park carrying tricolour flags and wearing black ribbons on their sleeves and over their mouths as a mark of protest Anticipating a large turnout the Mumbai Police had beefed up security in the areaShiv Sena UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray gestures to the crowd that gathered for the silent protestAmong the leaders present at the protest were Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS leader Amit Thackeray Shiv Sena UBT MP Anil Desai MLAs Anant Bala Nar Sunil Prabhu and Varun Sardesai as well as Tejas Thackeray the younger son of Uddhav ThackerayAddressing the crowd near the Meenatai Thackeray statue after being urged to speak by a section of the crowd Aaditya alleged ldquoFormer Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was not saved but Gyanesh Kumar is being saved as this government was formed because of vote chori and election theftrdquoProtesters march onThe Shiv Sena UBT leader added ldquoWe have always praised the Mumbai Police but what we saw them doing yesterday and the day before October 11 and 10 makes us think if they are obeying orders coming from DelhirdquoAaditya also said he and his party would stand behind everyone fighting against vote chori appealing to Mumbaikars to participate in the silent protest at Shivaji Park on MondayBandra resident Sonam Solanki who brought her child to the protest PicAditi AlurkarHundreds of people turned up for the protest including workers from Shiv Sena UBT the MNS and Congress However no one was seen carrying any political party flagsBhayander resident Esha Shetty and Borivli resident Shakti PicAditi AlurkarMNS campaignThe MNS meanwhile set up a booth as part of a signature campaign outlining five demands against the Election Commission voting via only ballot papers total cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision process clean and transparent voter lists taking all political parties into confidence before election and the resignation of Kumar After arriving at the spot MNS Chief Raj Thackeray took part in the signature campaignProtesters seek the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Shivaji Park on Monday evening PicsSayyed Sameer AbedilsquoItrsquos collective frustrationrsquoYounger protestors told midday they were there to fight for democracy ldquoWhat has been going on concerning the Election Commission has put our democracy at risk As the youth of this country we need to make sure that every vote counts and thatrsquos why we are taking to the streetsrdquo said 25yearold Esha Shetty who travelled from Bhayander to attend the protestHer friend Shakti said several issues were interconnected ldquoBe it votes alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls womenrsquos safety or the education system itrsquos all been very uncertain As citizens it is crucial to take interest in these issuesrdquo said the 30yearold Borivli residentBandra resident Sonam Solanki brought her child to the protest and they had been attending previous demonstrations too ldquoIt is crucial to show children all of it life not just the rosy parts It started with educationled protests and then those related to corruption Countries like France Spain and Brazil have also seen protests against the system and as the youth of the country we should take it up toordquo said SolankilsquoWe have faithrsquoComedienne Aditi Mittal said ldquoI am at this protest because I want to see how many slogans can rhyme with lsquoGyaneshrsquo and lsquoVote Chorrsquo This time I learned mdash lsquoKisne becha mera desh Gyanesh Gyaneshrsquo and lsquoVote Chor Gaddi Choddrsquo Irsquom sure Irsquoll learn more in subsequent protests in the coming daysrdquo7PMTime demonstration ended on Monday