Detained on way to August Kranti Maidan: Tushar Gandhi
Police deny: ‘only sought details of protest march’
3 min read
Around three hours later, at about 10.44 am, Gandhi posted another post in Hindi saying, "Chalo August Kranti Maidan."
Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Wednesday morning claimed the Santacruz police detained him as he left home to commemorate Quit India Day at August Kranti Maidan in South Mumbai.
However, senior police officials from the Mumbai police denied his claims, saying that Gandhi was brought to the police station only to inquire about the protest march from Girgaon chowpatty to August Kranti Maidan, in which he was to participate on Wednesday morning.
Activist Teesta Setalvad also alleged that she was stopped from leaving her house.
At around 7.21 am, Gandhi tweeted: “For the first time in the history of Independent India, I have been detained at Santa Cruz Police Station as I left home to commemorate 9th August Quit India Day. I am proud My Great Grandparents Bapu and Ba had also been arrested by the British Police on the historic date.” Subse-quently, a group of activists who were part of the commemoration, issued a press release alleging freedom fighter Dr G G Parikh was prevented from reaching the August Kranti Maidan.
The press release read, “Today, on the 81st anniversary of the historic quit India Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, we have witnessed a draconian crackdown by the BJP-led regime in Maharashtra. Our veteran freedom fighters have been commemorating this epic day of our freedom struggle ever since 1943 itself. Dr. G. G. Parikh who was a young student when he participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942, and who continues to lead this march even at the age of 99, is utterly distraught at this bizarre turn of events.”
The activists claimed that around 50 people were detained at the D B Marg Police station.
Denying their allegations, a senior police officer said, “Nobody was detained. We came to know that they were to carry out a protest march from Girgaon chowpatty to August Kranti Maidan and as it was not permitted, we brought Gandhi to the police station to take details about the march. Whereas a team was also sent to Setalvad house to ensure that the march is not carried out because it was not permitted.”
Later, when the activists informed the police that they would not proceed with the protest march, Gandhi was allowed to go while the police team also withdrew from Setalvad’s house.
Around three hours later, at about 10.44 am, Gandhi posted another post in Hindi saying, “Chalo August Kranti Maidan.”
An activist said, “Everyone who was detained or placed under house arrest was relieved by around 11 am.”
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