Mumbai: Activist Anjali Damania was among dozens of demonstrators detained on Sunday after arriving at Dadar’s Shivaji Park to join a protest supporting the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), according to police officials.

Damania was intercepted near the iconic venue and driven away in a private vehicle.

"As I reached Shivaji Park in support of CJP, police officers came in plainclothes and detained me. All the police personnel were in plain clothes, and I do not know where they are taking me," Damania told PTI.

Police confirmed that most individuals picked up near the park were taken to the Shivaji Park police station, while others were moved to nearby facilities. A senior police official warned that legal action will be taken against anyone gathering at Shivaji Park without official authorization.

The area remains heavily barricaded with a strong police presence to block unauthorized gatherings. The latest crackdown follows Saturday’s action, during which police detained around 600 people across various Mumbai locations—including August Kranti Maidan and Hutatma Chowk—for protesting without permission. The CJP has been staging demonstrations over alleged irregularities in voter rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Political backlash

The detentions triggered sharp criticism from opposition political figures. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray accused the ruling BJP of using force against peaceful demonstrators, offering legal help to those taken into custody.

"The Mumbai Police, it seems, now is being made to take orders from the very top- the very top that is hiding behind barricades of the police force. Do let us know where all you are being taken. We are coming. Also we will stand by you legally," Thackeray said on X.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray also questioned the police action and warned of increased mobilization.

"From tomorrow our MNS activists will be there (to protest)," Amit Thackeray said.

Meanwhile, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande alleged that an officer from the Shivaji Park police station and BJP workers were encouraging local Navratri mandal organisers to confront CJP demonstrators, promising legal backup for doing so.

"What kind of democracy is this? You don't give a place for people to protest and when people come to protest you will arrest them. Is the police's job to stop riots or engineer them," Deshpande asked. (PTI)