“BJP is scared of citizens”: Thackeray Duo Protest Mumbai Detentions
Aaditya Thackeray and Amit Thackeray lead a protest in Mumbai against the detention of citizens protesting against the Chief Election Commissioner.
In a high-voltage political confrontation in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray staged a fierce protest on Sunday. The duo gathered outside the Shivaji Park Police Station to demand the immediate release of protesters who were detained during a recent demonstration against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar.
Allegations of Fear and Betrayal
The protest was sparked by the detention of individuals who had taken to the streets to voice concerns regarding alleged irregularities in the electoral process. Addressing the media, Aaditya Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the ruling party, claiming that the current administration is intimidated by the public's voice.
“The BJP government is scared of Indian people, Indian citizens. And that's why you see they've been arresting every Indian who's a patriot coming out on the streets. BJP is scared,” Aaditya Thackeray stated.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader did not stop at criticizing the government's actions; he also took aim at political defectors. He questioned the whereabouts of leaders who had recently shifted allegiances to the BJP, specifically asking where Eknath Shinde and the six MPs who joined him were currently hiding.
The Legal Battle Over the Protest
The tension stems from a joint march led by the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) held on October 4. The protesters had marched toward the BMC headquarters to demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, specifically citing issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
However, the demonstration has led to legal repercussions. The Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against the organizers of the joint morcha at the Azad Maidan Police Station. The charges involve:
- Conducting a protest march without obtaining mandatory police clearance.
- Alleged violations of prohibitory orders that were in force across South Mumbai at the time.
Wider Context of Protests
The unrest in Mumbai mirrors a broader trend of demonstrations across the country. While the Thackeray duo fights for the release of those detained in Mumbai, reports indicate that around 1,000 protesters have been detained in the national capital, Delhi. Those in Delhi were attempting to march toward Jantar Mantar as part of a protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).