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

As the police barricaded the road leading to Kranti Maidan, the designated protest site, people held a protest outside the ground. “Around 600 protesters were detained in Mumbai city,” said IPS officer Shailesh Balkawade.

Among the detainees were Mahatma Gandhi’s great grandson Tushar Gandhi, actor Imran Khan, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai, and former MLC Kapil Patil.

#Watch | "We will continue our protest despite detention. We appeal to everyone to reach August Kranti Maidan this afternoon," said social activist Tushar Gandhi, who were allegedly detained by the Mumbai Police ahead of a protest in support of the anti-CEC protest in Delhi. Video: Special arrangement

The Mumbai protest was planned by Hum Bharat Ke Log, a civil group led by Mr. Gandhi, in solidarity with the stir by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Left groups in Delhi.

Mr. Gandhi was taken to the D.N. Nagar Police Station in Mumbai’s Andheri West. “We will continue our protest despite detention.,” he said.

Before Mr. Khan was detained, he said: “I am not scared, but what is happening around here is scary.” He was taken to the Tardeo police station.

The detainees raised slogans such as Jai Bheem, Inquilab Zindabad, and Gyanu, istifa do [Gyanesh, resign].

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

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

Mridula, a student associated with Disha, a student body, said, “Humara vote churaya hai (Our vote has been stolen). Those in power are not above the law. When outsiders attack, we retaliate, but when the attack comes from inside, from our political leaders, then we need to protest. Protest keeps on going, it is not a one-day thing, today we will be detained, tomorrow more will come together.” Ms. Mridula was among those detained.

Another protester, Rachita Pujari, who works in a school, said, “I have heard the difficulties certain families suffered due to SIR process. I teach their children. SIR has selectively been unfair to certain communities, including Muslims.” She added, “They submitted a plethora of documents to get the voter ID, but nothing was considered valid.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders led by Aaditya Thackeray sat at the D.N. Nagar police station earlier in the day, seeking the immediate release of Mr. Gandhi. Later, their party leader Varun Sardesai was detained too.

Around 500 police personnel were deployed along with riot control police unit near the protest site.