Tushar Gandhi, Imran Khan among 600 protesters detained in Mumbai

Tushar Gandhi detained by Mumbai police. (Screengrab)

On a hot afternoon, hundreds of students and youth activists began arriving at the August Maidan Kranti in Mumbai to show solidarity with the protest in Delhi for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday (October 10, 2026).

When the police barricaded the road leading to Kranti Maidan, the designated site of the protests, people staged a protest outside the ground. “Around 600 protesters have been detained in Mumbai,” IPS officer Shailesh Balkawade said.

Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi, actor Imran Khan, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai and former MLC Kapil Patil were among those arrested.

#Watch | “We will continue our protest despite the detention. We appeal to everyone to reach the August Kranti Maidan this afternoon,” said social activist Tushar Gandhi, who was reportedly detained by the Mumbai police ahead of a protest in support of the anti-CEC protest in Delhi. Video: A special arrangement

— The Hindu (@the_hindu) October 10, 2026

The Mumbai protest was planned by Hum Bharat Ke Log, a civic group led by Mr Gandhi, in solidarity with the agitation by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and left-wing groups in Delhi.

Mr. Gandhi was taken to the DN Nagar police station in Mumbai’s Andheri West. “We will continue to protest despite the detention,” he said.

Before being detained, Mr Khan said: “I’m not afraid, but what’s happening here is terrifying.” He was taken to the Tardeo police station.

The detainees raised slogans like Jai Bheem, Inquilab Zindabad and Gyanu, istifa do (Gyanesh, resign).

Actor Imran Khan taken away by police during Anti CEC protest at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai on October 10, 2026 | Photo credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

“We’re not criminals, we’re just showing up for a cause we believe in. But look, they’re violating our freedom of speech,” said Natasha Perira, a protester.

Mridula, a student associated with Disha, a student body, said, “Humara glas churaya hai (Our voice has been stolen). Those in power are not above the law. When outsiders attack, we retaliate, but when the attack comes from within, from our political leaders, then we have to protest. The protest continues, it is not a one-day affair, tomorrow will come together.” Mrs. Mridula was among those detained.

Another protester, Rachita Pujari, who works at a school, said: “I have heard the hardships certain families have suffered because of the SIR process. I teach their children. SIR has been selectively unfair to certain communities, including Muslims.” She added: “They submitted a lot of documents to get a voter’s card, but nothing was considered valid.”

Leaders of the Aaditya Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) sat in the DN Nagar police station earlier in the day, seeking Mr Gandhi’s immediate release. Later, their party leader Varun Sardesai was also detained.

Around 500 police officers and riot police were deployed near the protest site.

Published – October 10, 2026 12:49 PM IST