Many detained near Shivaji Park as Mumbai Police prevent protest against CEC

The Mumbai Police on Sunday (October 11, 2026) detained several people gathered near Shivaji Park in Dadar to participate in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The agitators alleged they were prevented from reaching the protest site despite assembling peacefully.

The protesters claimed police personnel had been deployed at multiple entry points around Shivaji Park and that several people were detained even before they could join the demonstration. Some alleged that people who were merely standing or walking in the area were also taken into custody.

Shafqat Khan, a protester, said demonstrators were denied entry through Gate No. 6 and other entrances to Shivaji Park. "We came to Dadar for the protest, but we were not allowed to enter through Gate No. 6. We tried other gates as well, but were stopped everywhere. Even some people who had not come for the protest were detained simply because they were moving around in groups," he alleged.

Mr. Khan accused the police of using excessive force while detaining demonstrators. "We did nothing wrong; did not misbehave with the police and did not engage in any violence or raise provocative slogans. We are protesting to protect our voting rights, which are among our most important rights in a democracy," he said.

Meera Shah, a resident of Mulund, said she had decided to participate in the demonstration after seeing reports of police action against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters in Delhi a day earlier.

"I was not sure about coming here, but thanks to the Delhi Police, they did that with Dhruv Rathee, and that is why I am here today," Ms. Shah said, referring to the reported detention of the YouTuber. "I am neither for the Congress, nor for the BJP, nor for the Shiv Sena. I am for India, and I feel our democracy needs to be saved from whatever is happening."

Another protester Chetan Patil criticised the detentions and said the demonstrators were demanding the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the resignation of the CEC.

"From Jantar Mantar to Mumbai, people are gathering to demand that SIR be cancelled and Gyanesh Kumar resign. But the police are picking people up and putting them in detention as though a 'Jail Bharo Andolan' is underway," Mr. Patil said. "We, as young people, will continue fighting till our last breath."