Tushar Gandhi claims detention by Mumbai police en route to commemorate Quit India Day; later permitted to attend

Tushar Gandhi. File/Twitter

Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, alleged on Wednesday that he was detained by the police as he was leaving his residence to mark Quit India Day at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan. A police official stated that when Tushar Gandhi emerged from his home in suburban Santacruz, he was informed that he couldn't proceed to participate in a rally for which permission had been denied. However, he was eventually granted access to the August Kranti Maidan, the official added.

Tushar Gandhi tweeted, "For the first time in the history of independent India, I have been detained at the 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 this historic date."

A police spokesperson later confirmed that Tushar Gandhi successfully reached the Maidan. He was scheduled to take part in a rally that was intended to run from Girgaon Chowpatty to the August Kranti Maidan.

As he attempted to depart from his residence at approximately 7:45 am, a team of Santacruz police officers stationed outside his building informed him that permission for the rally had been denied due to concerns related to law and order. Consequently, he was advised that he couldn't participate. Tushar Gandhi then returned to his home.

The police eventually allowed Tushar Gandhi to visit the August Kranti Maidan and pay his respects, according to the official statement. Tushar Gandhi later tweeted about an incident during his journey, "Fear in our society is so palpable. I got into a rickshaw at Santa Cruz Police Station after I was allowed to go. When we reached Bandra, I hailed an elderly Muslim taxi driver to take me to August Kranti Maidan. He saw the police car and panicked, telling me 'Saab mujhe nahi fasna'."

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"It took a lot of convincing to reassure him. This is the malady afflicting our society today, which is why #Nafraton_Bharat_Chodo_Mohobbat_Se_Dilon_ko_jodo is necessary," he added.

Tushar Gandhi, along with social activist Teesta Setalvad and noted freedom fighter G G Parikh, was scheduled to participate in the 'Shanti March' from Girgaon Chowpatty to the August Kranti Maidan.

A police official confirmed that permission for the rally had been denied, with written communication sent to the organizers. Earlier in the morning, the D B Marg police in south Mumbai had detained several activists who were believed to be planning to take part in the rally. (With inputs from PTI)