Mumbai, Oct 11: Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi on Sunday criticised the government after being released from detention, contending that the ongoing protests reflect the masses’ “no-confidence motion” against the government, and that he would continue his agitation until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns and PM Narendra Modi’s entire cabinet steps down.

Speaking to media, Tushar Gandhi said that first he was taken to D.N. Nagar police station.

Subsequently, he was told that because he was a senior citizen, he would have to be medically examined. He was then taken to Borivali station. He was informed at 6 p.m. on Saturday that he would be released, but his phone was not returned to him. He said the constable accompanying him had his phone, but it was still not handed back. Four officers subsequently took him home in the same vehicle, he added.

Despite his detention and the apprehension of other organisers, people of Mumbai continued to arrive at the August Kranti Maidan, Gandhi said, adding that the public was participating in the movement voluntarily.

He described the protests as a “no-confidence motion” by the people against the government.

Gandhi vowed to organise similar protests across India every week until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the current government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped down. He alleged that the government had resorted to electoral manipulation and said the country and its citizens had never weakened in their defence of democracy.

He also said the movement was being fought for the independence of the police.

Referring to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, Gandhi said: “I would tell Sonam Wangchuk not to make statements but to take to the streets. Our movement will continue until our demands are met.”

Gandhi said the events at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday and the protests in Mumbai demonstrated that ordinary citizens were voluntarily coming out to oppose the government.

He reiterated that the public movement would continue despite the detention of its organisers.

In line with the protests planned for Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, a protest was also planned at Mumbai’s historic August Kranti Maidan to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday.

However, even before the protest could begin, the police implemented strict security measures at August Kranti Maidan and the surrounding areas. Barricades were placed at various locations, and the access roads to the August Kranti Maidan were closed. The police even took into custody all those who came to join the movement.

Pune, Oct 10: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday predicted that the central government would collapse within six months, accusing it of using heavy police deployment and blockades to prevent protesters from reaching Delhi for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Calling the ongoing protests a “people’s rebellion,” he claimed that the Narendra Modi government was in its final days and would fall by March-April next year.

Speaking to reporters, Raut claimed that the central government is terrified of young citizens and peaceful protesters.

CJP chief Abhijit Dipke on Saturday arrived at the Delhi airport, where the police detained him.

Raut predicted a massive political upheaval in the country, claiming that the central administration is breathing its last.

“This government will not survive. Between March and April, the Modi government will take its last breath, and a national government will be established,” he claimed.

He reiterated his earlier remark that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17 would be his last as Prime Minister. “If Modi doesn’t remain, Amit Shah won’t remain either,” he added.

Targeting the leadership, Raut used a harsh phrase referencing the late actor Nana Patekar’s famous dialogue, stating that a “cockroach” can make a government powerless. He alleged that current leaders are merely “traders” rather than strong statesmen, and traders are quick to panic.

He claimed that the Centre has effectively turned Delhi into Jammu and Kashmir, with around 15,000 vehicles stranded outside the city and trains halted to prevent protesters from reaching the capital.

Accusing the Centre of using extreme suppression tactics reminiscent of the British era, Raut questioned why the government was sealing Delhi and stopping youth from protesting democratically.

“Not even during British rule were such massive blockades seen. Thousands of vehicles are stuck on all sides. By what law are you branding protesting youth as traitors and anti-nationals?” Raut asked.

He urged the Delhi Police not to follow illegal orders issued by the central government, alleging that the current regime relies on voter manipulation and state machinery misuse.

Mumbai, Oct 10: Former Rajya Sabha MP and veteran Congress leader Husain Dalwai has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, expressing strong outrage over the detention of senior social activist Firoze Mithiborawala and several other activists across Maharashtra.

Dalwai, in his letter on Friday, said that activists and student union members were traveling to New Delhi to participate in a peaceful rally scheduled for Saturday.

The protest, organised by various student organisations and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), aims to demand transparency in the electoral process.

Dalwai stated that the police used high-handed tactics to detain Mithiborawala directly from his residence in Mumbai and kept him in police custody to prevent him from reaching the national capital.

Additionally, several other activists and students travelling by train from Maharashtra were intercepted and detained at various railway stations.

Terming the police action as “authoritarian” and a direct violation of fundamental democratic rights, Dalwai highlighted that the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, movement, and peaceful assembly. He condemned treating peaceful activists and youth like criminals.

In his appeal, Dalwai urged the Chief Minister to immediately intervene in the matter, take note of the police crackdown, and issue directives to administration officials for the immediate and honourable release of all detained activists and students across the state.

Earlier, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) launched a scathing attack on the Centre, accusing it of driving Indian democracy to its grave.

The Thackeray camp in the party mouthpiece “Saamana” editorial commented on the intensifying political showdown surrounding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, widespread opposition protests, and an unprecedented state-sponsored crackdown on democratic dissent.

The editorial highlighted that Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s aggressive campaign against CEC Gyanesh Kumar—triggered by allegations of electoral manipulation—has sent shockwaves through the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

It asserted that instead of addressing accusations of systemic electoral irregularities, the ruling establishment is shielding the election chief at all costs, calling the protection of such actions a “betrayal of the nation”.

Condemning the handling of recent demonstrations, the editorial pointed out a glaring double standard by the administration. While Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were dragged, manhandled, and bundled into police vehicles during peaceful protests at Jantar Mantar, BJP Mahila Morcha activists staging abrasive demonstrations outside the Congress headquarters were granted absolute immunity by the home ministry, alleged the “Saamana” editorial.

The Thackeray camp claimed that the government planned to deploy around two lakh armed members of Bajrang Dal to Jantar Mantar to crush the opposition’s youth-led “cockroach” movement. It argued that relying on political gangs and “private armies” to violently suppress lawful public dissent invites absolute anarchy and civil unrest.