Mumbai witnessed heightened security on Tuesday, July 21, after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced a protest in support of its ongoing agitation at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Police personnel were deployed in large numbers at key locations, including Azad Maidan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, to maintain law and order.
Visuals from the city showed barricades, riot control vehicles, and security personnel stationed at strategic points as authorities remained on alert following violent clashes during the CJP's "Chalo Sansad" march in New Delhi on Monday, July 20.
The heightened vigil comes a day after Mumbai Police registered eight First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with protests held across the city in solidarity with the Delhi agitation. More than 900 people have been named as accused.
The largest case was registered at Shivaji Park Police Station, where over 600 protesters were booked. Additional FIRs were filed at Mahim, Dadar, Sion, Worli, Kalachowki, Bhoiwada, and Wadala TT police stations for allegedly violating law and order and organising demonstrations without prior permission.
The CJP accused the Mumbai Police of detaining peaceful demonstrators during a protest held near Chaityabhoomi in Dadar on Monday. The demonstration was organised in support of the party's protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where supporters have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke apologised to supporters who were injured during Monday's "Chalo Sansad" march in Delhi, saying he wished he could have done more to protect those participating in the protest.
In a post on X, Dipke expressed regret over the violence that erupted when protesters marching towards Parliament clashed with security personnel. According to him, police used lathi charges and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
"I apologise to all our supporters, especially the girls who were brutally beaten by male police officers. We could have done better. I could have done better to protect you from the inhumane actions of the Delhi Police," he wrote.
Dipke also alleged that the government had resorted to force against protesters while shielding Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, against whom the party has been demanding action over the alleged NEET examination controversy.
The protests in Mumbai gained momentum over the weekend as large numbers of students and political workers gathered near Shivaji Park and Chaityabhoomi in Dadar. Participants included members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), All India Students' Federation (AISF), and several youth organisations.
Demonstrators carried placards and raised slogans demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and criticising the Central government. Several protesters were taken into preventive custody as police attempted to prevent the gathering from escalating.
The agitation also drew support from political leaders. During a gathering outside Shivaji Park on Sunday, July 19, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed solidarity with the protesters and called for a nationwide movement against the Centre.
Similar demonstrations were held in Thane, where workers of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), the Communist Party of India, and student organisations staged a protest outside the district collector's office.
Apart from demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, protesters criticised the government's handling of the agitation in Delhi and alleged attempts to suppress peaceful demonstrations. Student groups also performed a street play highlighting their opposition to the Centre's actions and expressed solidarity with the ongoing protest in the national capital.
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